TSA Employee Protections Expanded

MSPB and the Transportation Security Administration have reached an agreement that expands whistleblower protections for TSA employees, who by law are excluded from many standard federal employee protections. Under prior policy, the Office of Special Counsel has authority to investigate TSA employee whistleblower complaints and recommend that the agency take corrective action and/or disciplinary action. Under the new agreement, TSA employees further will have the right to bring retaliation complaints to MSPS after OSC closes the matter, adding a layer of protection. However, unlike other federal employees they could not appeal the MSPB decision into federal court; legislation would be needed for that. Several pending bills would expand TSA whistleblower rights, among other provisions designed to strengthen protections for employees who disclose fraud, waste and abuse in government programs.