Welcome to the Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection (OAWP)

The Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection (OAWP) promotes and improves accountability within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

  • The office receives and investigates:
    • Allegations of misconduct and poor performance against VA senior leaders.
    • Allegations of whistleblower retaliation against VA supervisors.
  • The office receives whistleblower disclosures from VA employees and applicants for VA employment, and if they do not involve whistleblower retaliation or senior leader misconduct or poor performance, refers it for investigation within VA while the office monitors the investigation.
  • Disclosures involving classified information or information otherwise protected by law are only protected when reported to the OIG, the OSC, or an employee designated to receive such disclosures. Contact the OSC or the OIG for more information.
  • The office is responsible for tracking and confirming VA’s implementation of recommendations from audits and investigations carried out by VA’s Office of Inspector General, VA’s Office of the Medical Inspector, the U.S. Office of Special Counsel, and the U.S. Government Accountability Office.
  • The office educates employees and stakeholders on whistleblower rights and protections.
  • Confused about The Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection (OAWP)? The Whistleblower Navigator provides information about whistleblower rights and protections, The Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection (OAWP) policies and processes to whistleblowers, respondents, and other stakeholders. The Whistleblower Navigator is here to facilitate The Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection (OAWP) communication, coordination and collaboration. For more information, email WhistleblowerHelp@va.gov or contact us by phone at (202) 461-4500.

Contact Us

Complaint and Disclosure form

OAWP By The Numbers FY25

Updated 12/05/2024

8

Recommendations were issued by the Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection

4

Disciplinary recommendations issued against VA senior leaders for misconduct or poor performance

1

Disciplinary recommendations issued against senior leaders and supervisors for whistleblower retaliation

3

Non-disciplinary recommendations issued

0

Relief for other prohibited personnel practice, VA policy violation, or due process issue

Supplemental Training Numbers FY25

1,042

VA employees completed OAWP supplemental whistleblower training above and beyond the mandatory training.

11

Completed training sessions

151

Supervisors trained

OAWP By the Numbers FY24

Updated 12/05/2024

130

Recommendations were issued by the Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection

36

Disciplinary recommendations issued against VA senior leaders for misconduct or poor performance

5

Disciplinary recommendations issued against senior leaders and supervisors for whistleblower retaliation

87

Non-disciplinary recommendations issued

2

Relief for other prohibited personnel practice, VA policy violation, or due process issue

98%

OAWP’s disciplinary recommendations where management took some action, or the employee resigned or retired before action could be implemented.

96%

OAWP's non-disciplinary recommendations where management took some action to implement OAWP’s recommendation (or the person retired or resigned)

Supplemental Training Numbers FY24

22,283

VA employees completed OAWP supplemental whistleblower training above and beyond the mandatory training.

226

Completed training sessions

6,970

Supervisors trained

OAWP by the Numbers FY23

72

Recommendations were issued by the Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection

17

Disciplinary recommendations issued against VA senior leaders for misconduct or poor performance

3

Disciplinary recommendations issued against senior leaders and supervisors for whistleblower retaliation

47

Non-disciplinary recommendations issued

5

Relief for other prohibited personnel practice, VA policy violation, or due process issue

100%

OAWP’s disciplinary recommendations where management took some action, or the employee resigned or retired before action could be implemented.

98%

OAWP's non-disciplinary recommendations where management took some action to implement OAWP’s recommendation (or the person retired or resigned)