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NNN0LHI Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Apr-24-07 12:46 PM
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The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC)
http://www.osc.gov/intro.htm

Introduction to the OSC


Who We Are

The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) is an independent federal investigative and prosecutorial agency. Our basic authorities come from three federal statutes, the Civil Service Reform Act, the Whistleblower Protection Act, and the Hatch Act.

Our Mission

OSC’s primary mission is to safeguard the merit system by protecting federal employees and applicants from prohibited personnel practices, especially reprisal for whistleblowing. For a description of prohibited personnel practices (PPPs), click on the prohibited personnel practices link.

What We Do

PPPs & Whistleblower Protection

OSC receives, investigates, and prosecutes allegations of PPPs, with an emphasis on protecting federal government whistleblowers. OSC seeks corrective action remedies (such as back pay and reinstatement), by negotiation or from the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), for injuries suffered by whistleblowers and other complainants. OSC is also authorized to file complaints at the MSPB to seek disciplinary action against individuals who commit PPPs. For more information on how we process PPP complaints, click on the prohibited personnel practices link.

Disclosure Unit

OSC provides a secure channel through its Disclosure Unit for federal workers to disclose information about various workplace improprieties, including a violation of law, rule or regulation, gross mismanagement and waste of funds, abuse of authority, or a substantial danger to public health or safety. For more information on our Disclosure Unit, click on the Whistleblower Disclosures link.

Hatch Act Unit (Political Activity)

OSC promotes compliance by government employees with legal restrictions on political activity by providing advisory opinions on, and enforcing, the Hatch Act. Every year, OSC’s Hatch Act Unit provides over a thousand advisory opinions, enabling individuals to determine whether their contemplated political activities are permitted under the Act.

The Hatch Act Unit also enforces compliance with the Act. Depending on the severity of the violation, OSC will either issue a warning letter to the employee, or prosecute a violation before the MSPB. For more information on our Hatch Act Unit, click on the Hatch Act link.

Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (Veterans’ Rights)

OSC protects the reemployment rights of federal employee military veterans and reservists under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). For more information on how we protect veterans’ rights under USERRA, click on the USERRA link.

Employee Information Programs

Section 2302(c) of title 5 of the U.S. Code makes agency heads and officials with personnel authority responsible (in consultation with the OSC) for informing federal employees of their rights and remedies under chapters 12 and 23 of title 5. These chapters deal with prohibited personnel practices, whistleblower disclosures, political activity, and access to the OSC and the Merit Systems Protection Board.

The OSC endeavors to assist agencies in carrying out their employee information responsibilities, including by the development of a general guide to federal employee rights and remedies under title 5. Click on the Publications Link for Microsoft Power Point versions of this resource.

How OSC is Organized

The OSC is headed by the Special Counsel, who is appointed by the President, and confirmed by the Senate. The agency employs approximately 106 employees (primarily personnel management specialists, investigators and attorneys) to carry out its government-wide responsibilities. They work in the headquarters office in Washington, D.C., and in the Dallas, Texas, and San Francisco Bay Area field offices, and Detroit, Michigan office.

OSC Organizational Chart


OSC Leadership Biographical Information

Scott J. Bloch, Special Counsel
William E. Reukauf, Associate Special Counsel and Director of Field Office Operations
Erin M. McDonnell, Associate Special Counsel for Legal Counsel and Policy
Leonard Dribinsky, Senior Associate Special Counsel for Investigation and Prosecution Division


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Fresh_Start Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Apr-24-07 12:53 PM
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1. where have they been hiding for 6 years?
do they have any credibility?
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