Did you know?

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (see Section 1553 of Division A, Title XV, of the Recovery Act, P.L. 111-5; for more information, see http://www.recovery.gov.) provides protections for employees of non-federal employers making specified disclosures relating to possible fraud, waste, or abuse of Recovery Act funds.

Any non-federal employer receiving Recovery Act funds is required to post a notice of the rights and remedies provided under this section of the act.

Who is protected?

Employees of any non-federal employers receiving Recovery Act funds—including employees of state and local governments, contractors, subcontractors, grantees, and any other non-federal employers receiving Recovery Act fund recipients

How are whistleblowers protected?

You cannot be discharged, demoted, or otherwise discriminated against as reprisal for protected disclosures.

What types of disclosures are protected?

The Recovery Act protects disclosures made to any of the following entities or individuals, including disclosures made in the ordinary course of the employee’s duties: the Recovery Act Accountability and Transparency Board, an Inspector General, the Comptroller General, a member of Congress, a state or federal regulatory or law enforcement agency, a person with supervisory authority over the employee, a court or grand jury, or the head of a federal agency or his/her representatives. The disclosures must involve information that the employee reasonably believes is evidence of:

• gross mismanagement of an agency contract or grant relating to Recovery Act funds;
• a gross waste of Recovery Act funds;
• a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety related to the implementation or use of Recovery Act funds;
• an abuse of authority related to the implementation or use of Recovery Act funds; or
• a violation of law, rule, or regulation related to an agency contract or grant awarded or issued relating to Recovery Act funds.

Take action!

You can report suspected fraud, waste, or abuse by calling the toll-free hotline at (800) 424-5197—or emailing hotline@oig.doc.gov—or filing an online complaint form with the U.S. Department of Commerce's Office of Inspector General.