An employee who has information that the employee reasonably believes indicates a possible offense against the United States by an employee of the Department, or any other individual working on behalf of the Department, must immediately report the information to the employee's supervisor, to any management official, or directly to the Inspector General. Offenses covered by the preceding sentence include, but are not limited to, bribery, fraud, perjury, conflicts of interest, misuse of funds, equipment, or facilities, and other conduct by a government officer or employee, grantee, contractor, or other person that is prohibited by title 18 of the United States Code. Employees and supervisors must refer to part 752-1-50 of the Department's Instruction 752, Corrective Action, Discipline and Adverse Actions, or successive Departmental guidance, for procedures regarding the reporting and handling of such information.

An employee who has information that the employee reasonably believes indicates the existence of an activity constituting:

(a) A possible violation of a rule or regulation of the Department;

(b) A possible violation of any noncriminal ethics statute or rule or regulation;

(c) Mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, or abuse of authority; or

(d) A substantial and specific danger to the public health and safety must immediately report this information to the employee's supervisor, any management official of the Department, or in the case of paragraph (c) of this section and this paragraph (d), directly to the Inspector General. This section does not cover employee grievances, equal employment opportunity complaints, classification appeals, or other matters for which a formal government-wide review system has been established by the Federal Government.

(a) Any employee authorized to take, direct others to take, recommend, or approve any personnel action must not, with respect to this authority, take or threaten to take any action against any employee as a reprisal for making a complaint or for providing any information pursuant to this subpart.

(b) Employees who believe that they have been threatened with a personnel action, any other action, or harassment, or believe that they have been harmed by any action as a reprisal for having made a complaint or providing information pursuant to this subpart may request the Inspector General to review their allegations. Whenever the Inspector General has reason to believe that the allegations may be true, the Inspector General must refer the matter to the Assistant Secretary for Administration (ASA) for appropriate action. The ASA may order a stay of any personnel action if the ASA determines that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the personnel action is being taken as a reprisal for making a complaint or for providing information pursuant to this subpart.