Passed in 1989, the Whistleblower Protection Act is a shield for U.S. federal government employees who speak up about wrongdoing. This law protects them from retaliation by their agencies if they disclose information that suggests a violation of the law, waste of taxpayer money, abuse of power, or a threat to public health or safety.

The Act defines retaliation as any negative action taken against a whistleblower, such as firing, demotions, pay cuts, or even attempts to isolate or harass them. If a whistleblower experiences such retaliation, they have legal options to fight back.

It’s important to note that the Whistleblower Protection Act applies to most government employees, but there are exceptions for those working in the intelligence community.