Whistleblowers Deserve Protection
PEER has a long history of working with environmental, natural resource, and public health whistleblowers. We help public employees make informed decisions about how to protect their rights and their careers while revealing government wrong-doing and abuses.
PEER also works with clients on more effective and less costly alternatives to whistleblowing, because it is important to keep conscientious people inside public service. However, if your efforts to protect the environment have gotten you into trouble, we will use whistleblower and other laws to defend you in administrative or court proceedings.
Whistleblowers are an important line of defense against corruption and abuse by governments. We have spent over 25 years protecting the work of public servants and holding governments accountable. All of our services are pro bono, or without cost to you.
The Whistleblower Protection Act (WPA)
The Whistleblower Protection Act
The Whistleblower Protection Act (WPA) protects federal employees who make disclosures which the employee reasonably believes evidence (does not have to actually be true):
- Any violation of any law, rule, or regulation;
- Gross mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority; or
- A substantial and specific danger to public health or safety.
As long as the disclosure is not prohibited by law (for example, laws prohibiting the disclosure of critical infrastructure information) or required by executive order to be kept secret (i.e. classified).[5 U.S.C. Sec. 2302(b)(8)]
In addition, the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act, enacted in made claims of retaliation for any of the following subject to the same procedures and burdens of proof as whistleblower claims… Read More>>
House Gives Hope to Federal Whistleblowers, Senate Must Step Up
In order to ensure that the Whistleblower Protection Improvement Act stands a chance of becoming law, voters must keep their Senators accountable. Read More »
Public Health Scientist Sidelined by Industry Tactics
Academic Freedom Complaint Filed with University at Albany Senate
NEWS FROM PEER
Colorado’s Air Pollution Program Broken and Adrift
State’s Air Quality Worsens While Cosmetic Changes Ignore Core Problems
COMMENTARY | Stronger Whistleblower Protections for Government Contractors
Government contractors who blow the whistle on agency misconduct may finally join the ranks of their public employee counterparts in enjoying the same protections.
PEERMail | Whistleblower Appreciation Day
Whistleblower Appreciation Day This year, National Whistleblower Day is on July 30th. We mark this day to recognize the important contributions whistleblowers make in safeguarding public health and the environment, supporting good governance, and strengthening our...
Webinar | A Whistleblower’s Journey
PEER staff discuss their own whistleblower journeys and the broad scope of issues that whistleblowers face and PEER’s role in protecting them.
PEERMail | A Whistleblower’s Journey
For the past 30 years, PEER has worked to defend environmental whistleblowers and address the underlying environmental issues they bring to us
Public Health Scientist Sidelined by Industry Tactics
Academic Freedom Complaint Filed with University at Albany Senate
COMMENTARY | House Gives Hope to Federal Whistleblowers, Senate Must Step Up
In order to ensure that the Whistleblower Protection Improvement Act stands a chance of becoming law, voters must keep their Senators accountable.
Colorado Balks at EPA Ozone Reducing Recommendations
State Resists Reforms Identified by Whistleblowers and Confirmed by EPA
Fumigant Decision Shows EPA Science at Its Worst
EPA Doubles Down on Mistakes Despite Whistleblower and IG Critiques
PEERMail | Ending a Culture of Reprisal at USGS
We are here to protect scientists like Evi Emmenegger who was fired after reporting dangerous biosafety breaches at a wildlife disease laboratory
Ruling Bares Reprisal Culture Atop USGS Lab
Judge Finds Retaliation for Dangerous Biosafety Breakdown Reports
COMMENTARY | U.S. Geological Survey Labs Must Cure Culture of Reprisal
Third party review will help prevent future scientific scandals at the U.S. Geological Survey by providing a safe channel for USGS scientists to report problems without fear of reprisal.
PEERMail | A Manchin Miracle?
In what’s being called a Manchin miracle, a deal was reached to address climate change as part of the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act
EPA Routinely Ignores Chemical Risk Calculations
Workers imperiled by failures to flag serious known hazards.
Webinar | Environmental Whistleblowers: Good Trouble, Bad Trouble
Government employee whistleblower protections and strengthened scientific integrity principles are critical to address environmental and public health threats.
PEERMail | Important Whistleblower Victories
In celebration of Whistleblower Appreciation Day, we highlight two recent wins for employees who stepped forward to expose wrongdoing in their agencies.
COMMENTARY | Environmental Whistleblowers and the Need for Change at EPA
Environmental whistleblowers may not grab the nation’s attention but they are vital to creating meaningful government reforms.
EPA Validates Colorado Air Whistleblowers’ Charge
State Directed to Fix Illegal Permits and Cease Enabling Pollution Evasions
STATEMENT | Earth Day 2022: A Vital Rallying Point
PEER contributes to Earth Day year-round by supporting whistleblowers and working for the ethical management of our natural resources and strong environmental policies. Earth Day 2022
PEERMail | Migratory Bird Whistleblower Case Goes to Judge
Whistleblower case highlights the Biden administration failing to protect employees who stood up to the excesses of the Trump presidency.
