What Can Federal Workers Facing Whistleblower Retaliation Do?

 Posted on February 25, 2025 in Discrimination & Retaliation

A federal employee who reports workplace wrongdoing is called a "whistleblower." Whistleblowers play a vital role in protecting the integrity of the federal government and strengthening the rule of law when they report illegal activities in the federal government. They also must act with bravery as they may potentially put their jobs and reputations on the line.

Federal law provides protections for federal employees who whistleblow. An experienced Maryland whistleblower retaliation defense lawyer can advise you on your rights and provide legal assistance if you face retaliation for whistleblowing.

What is Whistleblower Retaliation?

Retaliation happens when an employer fires, harasses demotes, or in any other way punishes you because you have reported misconduct.  The Whistleblower Protection Act (WPA) protects certain current and former employees against retaliation for reporting fraud, gross mismanagement, gross waste of funds, health and safety violations, abuse of authority, and more. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) extends this whistleblower protection to federal contractors and grant recipients. The U.S. Department of Labor enforces additional whistleblower and anti-retaliation laws.

What Steps Can Federal Whistleblowers Facing Retaliation Take?

If you face retaliation you may be entitled to certain legal remedies such as back pay, rehiring, and compensation for damages. If you are facing retaliation you should take the following steps to protect yourself and ensure that you preserve your rights as much as possible:

• Keep detailed records of the retaliation: This will include documents such as emails, documents,  and a log of every occurrence of retaliation to use as evidence.

• Obtain legal help: Speak to an experienced whistleblower retaliation attorney who can advise you of your rights and legal options.

• File a complaint: You and your attorney can file a complaint reporting the retaliation to the relevant government offices, who will investigate the matter.

• Follow your organization’s protocol: Make sure to follow any specific processes your employer has in place for reporting retaliation.

How Do You Prove Retaliation?

The specifics of how you prove workplace retaliation depend on a number of factors, including the type of retaliation and the government agency or department handling the complaint, but in general to prove whistleblower retaliation you will have to show that you engaged in a "protected activity," meaning a type of whistleblowing protected under the law, that the employer retaliated against you, and that there was a causal connection between your whistleblowing activities and the retaliation your employer took.

Call a Silver Spring, MD Whistleblower Retaliation Attorney

If you face retaliation at your federal workplace for whistleblowing, you do not have to face it alone. The experienced Rockville, MD employment law attorneys at Freedman Law, LLC can advise you on your rights and defend you against retaliation. Call our offices at 410-290-6232 for a consultation.