Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012

Signed into law by Barack Obama
November 27, 2012

Passed in response to the Merit Systems Protection Board’s misguided interpretations of the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989, the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act strengthened the protections available to federal employee whistleblowers. The law aims to protect federal employees who blow the whistle where the MSPB had failed previously. It broadens the remedies for victims of retaliation and strengthens the powers of the U.S. Office of Special Counsel, which is tasked with enforcement. The new law made clear that disclosures do not lose their protected status because, for example, they are made to the violator of law or that the information had previously been revealed. The WPEA clarified the WPA and better protects whistleblowers.

Enforcement & Remedies

See page for WPA