Report: 52 Pct of Federal Employees Observe Misconduct

At meeting on Capitol Hill this morning, Stephen M. Kohn, president of the National Whistleblower Center, an advocacy organization for whistleblowers, discussed the findings of an Ethics Resource Center survey.

Kohn said the findings demonstrate the need for Congress to approve legislation designed to protect federal government whistleblowers. His paper cited these findings from the center's 2007 survey:

“Government employees are increasingly working in environments that are conducive to misconduct;”

“Signs point to a future rise in misconduct if deliberate action is not taken;”

“52% of federal employees observe misconduct;”

20% of “federal government employees work in environments conducive to misconduct;”

“Many of those who reported the misconduct they observed were retaliated;”

“24% of federal government employees who observed misconduct but chose not to report it feared retaliation from management;”

“16% of non-reporters within the federal government feared retaliation from their peers;”

Of those who reported misconduct, 83% only reported it to their supervisor or managers [conduct not protected under the current federal Whistleblower Protection Act];

Only 6% of federal employees who disclosed misconduct were willing to report that misconduct to a “hotline” or outside of their agency.

By Sara Goo  |  March 9, 2009; 1:15 PM ET  | Category:  whistleblower
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