ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The federal government has implemented a Program for Enhancement of Employee Whistleblower Protection (41 U.S.C. 4712)(the “Program”). The purpose of this Program is to provide enhanced whistleblower protection for employees working as contractors, subcontractors, or grantees on a federal grant. Specifically, these employees may not be penalized (discharged, demoted, or otherwise discriminated against) for reporting any of the following information to any of the individuals listed in Section II:
- Evidence of gross mismanagement of a federal contract or grant;
- A gross waste of federal funds;
- An abuse of authority relating to a federal contract or grant (defined by 48 CFR § 3.908-2 as "an arbitrary and capricious exercise of authority that is inconsistent with the mission of the executive agency concerned or the successful performance of a contract of such agency");
- A substantial and specific danger to public health or safety; or
- A violation of law, rule, or regulation related to a federal contract (including the competition for or negotiation of a contract) or grant.
PROTECTED REPORTING
The Program provides protections only when the employee discloses the information to one of the following:
- A Member of Congress or a representative of a committee of Congress;
- An Inspector General;
- The Government Accountability Office;
- A Federal employee responsible for contract or grant oversight or management at the relevant Federal agency;
- An authorized official of the Department of Justice or other law enforcement agency;
- A court or grand jury; or
- The EVMS Office of Research or Office of Compliance, who has the responsibility to investigate, discover, or address misconduct.
HOW TO REPORT
If you have knowledge or information as outlined in Section I above, EVMS needs to know immediately. To make a report, please:
- Call the EVMS Office of Research at 757-446-8480; or
- Call the EVMS Office of Compliance at 757-446-6008; or
- Utilize the EVMS Ethics and Compliance Hotline : 1-(800)-461- 9330, which allows you to make reports 100% anonymously 24 hours a day/7 days a week.
Per the Program, you may also report to any of the government individuals/office listed in above. The governing statute and regulations of the Program located at 41 U.S.C. 4712 outline the process for filing and investigating complaints.
Finally, both the Program and the EVMS Compliance Reporting/Anti-Retaliation Policy provide a process for an employee to file a complaint if he or she believes that retaliation has occurred as a result of making a report as outlined above. Any allegation of retaliation (or questions/concerns about what constitutes retaliation) should be reported to the EVMS Office of Compliance or the Compliance hotline immediately. Allegations of retaliation may also be submitted to the Inspector General of the Federal Agency that issued the contract or grant within 3 years of the date the alleged retaliation occurred.
RELATED PROGRAMS AND LINKS
- For more information on how to research compliance and integrity, please see the Office of Research, Research Compliance and Integrity page.
- EVMS/EVMS Medical Group Compliance Programs