Contractor: I’ve worked for several different federal contractors.
But I’m starting to lose sleep over what’s happening at my current employer.
The higher-ups noticed that the State Department’s contracting officer never scrutinizes our
invoices, so they started to add costs that I know are not justified.
This has been going on for nearly a year, and I feel like I need to do something about
it.
But I’m also worried about what will happen to me if I raise the issue.
Employee: A few months ago, I got a new job at the State Department as an executive assistant.
I love my work, but I am worried about the actions of my boss.
I noticed that the cost of his travel vouchers is inconsistent, and some of them were for
dates when he was on leave.
Inspector General Linick: The Office of Inspector General Hotline is a clearinghouse for receiving
and handling allegations regarding fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement or misconduct
affecting Department of State and Broadcasting Board of Governor programs and operations.
OIG’s 24-hour Hotline allows employees and contractors to report problems – anonymously,
if necessary – and help us in our efforts to ensure the agencies run as effectively
and efficiently as possible.
Employee: Maybe I should call the OIG hotline.
That might be a good place to start.
OIG Official: Hello, thank you for calling the Department of State, Office of Inspector
General Hotline.
How may I help you?
Employee: Hi, I have some concerns about my supervisor’s travel vouchers.
Is this the right number to call?
OIG Official: If you want to report fraud, waste, or abuse, this is the right number
to call.
What are your concerns?
Employee: I think my boss may be filing false travel vouchers.
But he is a senior executive.
Can I file an anonymous report?
OIG Official: Yes, you can, but it may limit our ability to investigate the travel fraud
and to follow up with you.
You could instead request confidentiality, in which case we will not release your identity
outside the Office of Inspector General, except in the rarest of circumstances—if ordered
by a court, for example.
Employee: But even if I request confidentiality, I’m worried that he will figure out who
gave you the information and may try to fire me.
Your poster says I am protected from retaliation.
Can you tell me more about it?
OIG Official: Yes, the law protects federal employees from reprisal if they report a violation
of any law, rule, or regulation; gross mismanagement or waste of funds; an abuse of authority;
or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety.
Agencies are prohibited from taking a personnel action, such as a poor performance review,
demotion, suspension, or termination, because the employee disclosed the wrongdoing.
Employee: I may not have the detailed information about all his travel vouchers.
What if I am wrong about this being improper?
Official: You are protected from reprisal, as long as you have a reasonable belief that
the actions are improper, even if that later turns out to be incorrect.
Employee: Ok, so if I decide to make a report, what is the next step?
OIG Official: Typically, an OIG employee will contact you to gather more information.
After that, we will review the material you provided and determine if we need to investigate
further.
Employee: If I do experience retaliation, will you also investigate that?
OIG Official: We will investigate the wrongdoing you report, and there is a separate federal
agency— the Office of Special Counsel—that is charged with investigating reprisal against
employees or whistleblowers.
It can help you enforce your rights.
Employee: Where can I find more information online?
OIG Official: Please check out our website at oig.state.gov
Employee: Thank you for your help.
Contractor: I need to figure out what my options are to deal with this issue, because continuing
to lose sleep over this is not one of those options.
Here’s a number I can call.
OIG Official: Hello.
OIG Hotline.
How can I help you?
Contractor: Hi.
I’m an employee of a contractor, and I know that my company has been padding invoices
by over-charging the State Department for work we did not perform.
Is this the correct office to talk to about it?
OIG Official: Yes it is.
You can report fraud, waste, or abuse to the OIG.
How can I help you?
Contractor: Before I do, I want to make sure that I am protected.
I don’t want my employer to retaliate against me because “anonymous” is not always “anonymous.”
People always seem to know.
OIG Official: This is true.
Your concerns are valid.
However, federal law prohibits retaliation against anyone for reporting fraud, waste,
or abuse to the OIG.
Contractor: Really?
I thought that only federal employees were provided with protection, but not contractors.
OIG Official: As of 2013, the law has changed.
Besides federal employees, now contractors, subcontractors, and grantees are protected
by law for reporting wrongdoing to the OIG.
They cannot be retaliated against or fired for reporting waste, fraud, and abuse to our
office.
Contractor: That’s great to hear, but I need some time to think about what I want
to do.
If I decide to file a report, what do I need to do?
OIG Official: You can call us back here at this number or you can email us at oig@state.gov.
Contractor: Ok, thanks for your help.
OIG Official: The two employees we just heard from had the courage to report what they thought
were cases of possible fraud, waste, or abuse at the State Department.
If you find yourself in a similar situation, please contact the Office of Inspector General.
You can call us, or email us, or find more information on our website.
We often rely on information provided by whistleblowers to address serious wrongdoing and misuse of
taxpayer funds.
Being a whistleblower is rarely easy, but it is an important public service.
Please consider doing your part to protect the integrity of the important work of the
Department of State and the Broadcasting Board of Governors.