Apedia

Government Whistle Blowing Agency Whistleblower Workers Law Work

Id ESLPod_0572_CN
Episode Id ESLPod 572
Episode Title Blowing the Whistle at Work
Title Blowing the Whistle at Work
Text

In 1989, the U.S. government "enacted" (made into law) the Whistleblower Protection Act. This "Act" (law) was created to protect" government workers who report "misconduct" (bad, inappropriate behavior). "Official" (authority; leader) or "agency" (department) misconduct might include "gross" (serious; severe) mismanagement or "misuse" (inappropriate use) of government "funds" (money).

The law was created because some government workers had been complaining that they were being punished for having blown the whistle on their agency. For example, if they shared information about agency misconduct, they might be told that they had done a good thing, but then a few weeks or months later they might not receive a "promotion" (a move to a better job with more responsibility and better pay) or they might even be "fired" (lose their job). This was a strong "disincentive" (something that makes one not want to do something) against blowing the whistle on agency misconduct.

"Theoretically" (in theory, but not necessarily in reality), government workers should now feel more comfortable blowing the whistle on official misconduct or agency misconduct, because according to the Whistleblower Protection Act they won't have to "suffer" (feel pain from) negative consequences. However, it can be hard to "enforce" (make sure a law is followed) the Act. Agency officials might argue that their "personnel" (related to human resources) decisions are unrelated to the whistleblower's actions. For example, they might say that a whistleblower was fired because he or she wasn't doing the job very well, even though he or she was really fired in "retaliation" (revenge). It can be very difficult or impossible to prove the reason why someone has been fired.

Topics Business | Government + Law

Learn with these flashcards. Click next, previous, or up to navigate to more flashcards for this subject.

Next card: Social class discussing people things eslpod_0573_cn eslpod american

Previous card: Insurance car accident people drivers assigning blame safety

Up to card list: ESLPod Culture Note