I've. Depending on where you're stationed, there are some easy "hops" you can take to explore yet another new part of the world. LockA locked padlock Generally, these complaints can be made for allegations that the commander: Acted in a manner that was arbitrary, capricious, or . Share sensitive You may disclose allegations of waste, fraud, abuse, or mismanagement to the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) with jurisdiction over the federal agency, program, contract, or grant about which you are concerned, or to the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC). However, OSC does not have jurisdiction in cases involving an alleged retaliatory revocation or suspension of a security clearance or access to classified information. Asking for Assistance: As a military member, you may face situations where your command is not following regulations or is otherwise violating your rights. Military Lawyer. If you do not agree with the EEOC's decision on your appeal, you can ask for a reconsideration of that decision. When a military member feels wronged by his/her commander, the member has the right to file an "Article 138 complaint.". Active duty wartime or campaign badge veterans. The disclosure is based on a reasonable belief that wrongdoing has occurred. If you believe you have been retaliated against because you disclosed wrongdoing, the options available to you depend on your specific place of employment and the type of alleged retaliation, such as a personnel action taken against you. If he's in Washington go to his office and do the same. Learn how to file a complaint against the U.S. Complaints can be called in Monday through Friday, 8am to 4pm EST, at 1-800-424-9098. Additionally, you may have the right to submit a retaliation complaint with a state or local government Inspector General. Donate Goods/Send Care Packages The first step is to contact an AAFES EEO Counselor. Are Military Holiday Party Expenses Tax Deductible? His or her staff can assist you. You have the right to appeal AAFES' final order (including a final order dismissing your complaint) to the EEOC Office of Federal Operations. Employees of federal contractors, subcontractors, grantees, subgrantees, and personal services contractors can use the list of OIGs to determine where to file a complaint of whistleblower retaliation. Get more help with your complaint from elected officials If you filed your complaint directly with the agency and your issue still has not been resolved, contact an elected representative. When the investigation is finished, AAFES will issue a notice giving you two choices: either request a hearing before an EEOC Administrative Judge or ask AAFES to issue a decision as to whether the discrimination occurred. Like many other people, I was sent a sizable debt by DFAS following my ETS. 1-844-234-5122 (ASL Video Phone) Congressman Adam Smith. First, there is the real you. . Filing a claim You must file a claim within 180 days of the discrimination, retaliation, or other violation. The Department takes an active interest in their constituents' problems and will insist each inquiry be given. Your protected disclosure was a contributing or motivating factor for the personnel action. You must file your appeal no later than 30 days after you receive the final order. What is whistleblowing and why is it important? List all relevant witnesses and their contact information, if known; ensure you include the names of any alleged wrongdoers here -- the IG is an independent fact finder and must weigh both sides in making any determination on a case. You know, the little things that make up just an ordinary day. You must ask for reconsideration no later than 30 days after you receive the EEOC decision on your appeal. A disclosure of classified information may not be protected unless the disclosure is made in accordance with the law. A "lawful communication" is any communication that does not constitute misconduct, a violation of the UCMJ, or a violation of other applicable criminal statutes. Request the next higher-level IG review their case within 90 days of receiving the IG response. If you are a member of the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service, you may submit a retaliation complaint to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. Fax: (425) 793-5181. System Access; System Functionality; System Errors; Furlough FAQ. You must file your appeal no later than 30 days after you receive the final order. Clearly describe the issue you need assistance with. 15 S. Grady Way. Once AAFES receives the Administrative Judge's decision, AAFES will issue what is called a final order which will tell you whether AAFES agrees with the Administrative Judge and if it will grant any relief the judge ordered. The communication must be lawful. The Internal Revenue Services Whistleblower Office accepts reports of persons who fail to pay taxes that they owe and protects tax whistleblower against retaliation. OFFICES THAT ACCEPT AND/OR INVESTIGATE CONGRESSIONAL WHISTLEBLOWER DISCLOSURES. (This list is not all inclusive; and circumstances of each case will determine if there is protected communication. GAO FraudNet: The Government Accountability Office FraudNet hotline supports accountability across the federal government. However, staff are not explicitly protected by federal law from retaliation for doing so outside of disclosures under the Congressional Accountability Act. Retaliation involving a security clearance or access to classified information: OSC has primary jurisdiction over retaliation complaints by Federal executive branch civilian employees. OFCCP is committed to workers' rights and will investigate complaints filed against federal contractors. I received my first debt statement on October 18 and it has already popped up on my credit report (something I will dispute with the credit agencies). If you are a member of the NOAA Commissioned Corps, you may submit a retaliation complaint to the U.S. Department of Commerce Office of Inspector General. But basically all you need to do is send an email or letter to the address listed on the Congressman's website. I found out that i am pregnant. If you are a uniformed Coast Guard member, you may have the option of filing a retaliation complaint with the Department of Homeland Security OIG. You can file a grievance when: You have a complaint about the quality of care you received, A provider or facility behaved inappropriately, or. Washington, DC 20530. Does anyone have any experience or knowledge about this? Two federal laws prohibit discrimination in employment based on your status as a service member or veteran: Additional federal laws prohibit employment discrimination against applicants and employees for other reasons that veterans and service members may face, including: Employers are also prohibited from retaliating against you, for example threatening to withhold a promotion or firing you, for asserting your rights under these laws or otherwise participating in protected activity. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Renton, WA 98057. information only on official, secure websites. You can make the most of your commissary trip and feel like an old pro whether it's your first time or 50th, by reading our How satisfied are you with your present vehicle? The disclosure is made to a person or entity that is authorized to receive it. Some OIGs may also accept and investigate agency employee whistleblower retaliation but it varies across OIGs. This document helps explain where to get help if you are a service member or veteran and you feel that you have been discriminated against in employment because of your military status, veteran status, or another protected basis. OFCCPs Infographic includes information on who qualifies as a protected veteran. If you do not settle the dispute during counseling or through mediation, you can file a formal discrimination complaint against AAFES with the Office of EEODI. The Veterans Crisis Line: 800-273-TALK (8255) National Call Center for Homeless Veterans: 877-4AID-VET (424-3838) Veterans Affairs Caregiver Support Line: 855-260-3274. P. Simmons. In both cases you'll be blocked by staff. NOTE: Most requests filed via this form will be referred back to your local IG office. 1. Though recommended, an individual does not have to follow the chain of command or get the prior approval of a superior to file an IG complaint. The debt in question is not entirely wrong, but they've clearly incorrectly assessed and failed to include payments where they ought to have been. An official website of the United States government, 36th Contingency Response Support Squadron, Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. October 19, 2019 Reviewed by Michelle Seidel, B.Sc., LL.B., MBA Learn About Our Review Process If you have a problem involving a federal agency, including one of the branches of the military, you may request assistance from your United States senator or Congressional representative. Whistleblowers perform an important service to the public and the government when they report evidence of waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement. An officer and his wife feel obligated to host a holiday party, but wonder if they can write it off. TL;DR: How do I go about writing my Congressman in Colorado (or Georgia) as a former soldier looking to dispute incorrectly assessed debt by DFAS/Finance Office? If AAFES doesn't dismiss the complaint, it will conduct an investigation. The EEO Counselor will give you the choice of participating either in EEO counseling or in mediation. You must have left a civilian job to perform covered service; You must have given notice to the employer that you were leaving to perform military service (orally or in writing); You have had five years or less of cumulative service with the covered employer (although there are a number of exceptions to this rule); You must not have a disqualifying discharge (dishonorable, other than honorable, or bad conduct); and. It will also contain information about your right to appeal to EEOC, your right to file a civil action in federal district court, and the deadline for filing both an appeal and a civil action. requires employers to take affirmative action to recruit, hire, promote, and retain these individuals. : Did someone disregard regulations related to the competition of a federal contract? The OCE is an independent, non-partisan entity charged with reviewing allegations of misconduct against Members, officers, and staff of the United States House of Representatives. Thank you for your interest in submitting information to the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE). Sign and date the form. You can also contact CRT to submit a report if you believe your civil rights, or someone elses, have been violated here. For information on submitting a classified Action Request, visit theDepartment of Defense Hotline Classified Request IG Action. Postal Service, government agencies, and prisons. Once the EEOC has made a decision on your request for reconsideration, the decision is final. Examples of protected activity include filing a complaint or participating in an investigation. Where to disclose wrongdoing about a federal government agency, program, contract, or grant Where to file a retaliation complaint You do not need a special form to file a letter of complaint with your congressional representative. Office of the Inspector General Restriction. They are also responsible for investigating complaints that come from outside the chain of command. However, judicial branch employees may submit complaints regarding federal judicial conduct through the U.S. Courts. If you bring an individual complaint and later believe your case has class-action implications, you may move for class certification at any reasonable point during the processing of your original complaint. However, I don't know how to go about the proper channels to make it known to my Congressman, and although I have researched it, I'm unclear on if there even is a proper method. If you prefer to deliver the complaint in person, call the IG office for an appointment. 1-800-669-6820 (TTY) Postal Service about lost or stolen mail or mail fraud. If that fails, bombard you. An official website of the United States government, Droit et Avant: "Be Right, Then Go Forward". File a complaint with an IG without fear of reprisal. U.S. Department of Commerce Office of Inspector General. Federal employees and job applicants have similar protections but follow a different complaint process. : Did someone use their federal authority to garner favors or for personal gain?Substantial and specific danger to public health or safety Ex. File complaints involving government agencies, products and services, travel, housing, and banking. The DOJ OIG or the OPR will review reprisal complaints made by FBI employees and conduct investigations of such complaints. Federal laws protect whistleblowers from retaliation for reporting wrongdoing. All rights reserved. Workforce and Succession Planning; Performance Management Solutions; Organizational Design & Position . You can also contact OFCCP if you asked about or discussed your pay or that of a co-worker and you were fired, demoted, or disciplined because of it. If you are a member of the uniformed Military Services, you may have the option of submitting a retaliation complaint with Department of Defense OIG or the IG for your service component. Complaint; FEIO Disputed Claims FAQ. Gather all information you need (what, when, where, why, who). A grievance is a written complaint or concern about a non-appealable issue regarding a perceived failure by any member of the healthcare delivery teamincluding TRICARE authorized providers, military providers, regional contractors or subcontractor personnelto provide appropriate and timely healthcare services, access or quality, or to deliver . Additionally, Exchange policy prohibits discrimination on status as a parent. Email: CaseworkWA09@mail.house.gov. Rights afforded by these whistleblower protection laws include, but are not limited to, worker participation in safety and health activities, reporting a work-related injury, illness or fatality, or reporting a violation of the statutes herein. For more information, please see the Department of Justices Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative webpage. How to file a congressional complaint Asserting your rights under the CAA is a multi-step process: 1. A request for reconsideration is only granted if you can show that the decision is based on a mistake about the facts of the case or the law applied to the facts. Working during Furlough; Future of Work FAQ; HR Line of Business Provider Assessment FAQ. By following the prompts below, you will be directed to the appropriate agency or entity to report wrongdoing or to file a retaliation complaint. File a complaint against a federal or state government agency Find out where to file a complaint against a federal or state government agency. To reprint or license this article or any content from Military.com, please submit your request, Top 3 Space-A Destinations for OCONUS Families. Contact OFCCP to file a complaint if you believe your rights as a worker have been violated or if you believe a federal contractor has been discriminatory in its practices. Most of the laws enforced by EEOC require you to file a charge before you can file a discrimination lawsuit. Call - Find out who your Congressman is. You may have the option of submitting a retaliation complaint with the Department of Labors (DOL) Occupational Safety and Health Administrations (OSHA) Whistleblower Program. Mail. Please note, if you are a state, local or tribal government employee whose employer receives federal contracts or grants, and believe you have been retaliated against for blowing the whistle on a federal contract or grant, you may have the option of submitting a retaliation complaint with the OIG for the contract or grant-making agency. Once the EEOC has issued a decision on the appeal, AAFES also has the right to ask the EEOC to reconsider that decision. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Military Benefits Inspectors' General Military.com If you need advice on where to go or who to see about a possible sexual harrassment or discrimination complaint, then you should know. If possible, try to resolve the issue with your chain of command first. I am trying to request a congressional inquiry, however, I. I understand that Congressional Inquiries can be initiated by soldiers writing their Congressmen, in which case I think it's time for me to bite the bullet and admit defeat against DFAS by writing my politian(s). I've filed a congressional and an IG complaint, have an interview regarding the congressional via phone today, had command HQ conversation read more. Do all Congressman have different ways of taking cases from soldiers?
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