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Caught between conscience and career

Resources for Federal Employees

Deciding to blow the whistle on wrongdoing can be the single most important professional decision you ever have to make.

Whistleblowing is risky and difficult. History also shows it is an act usually best done while attempting to keep your identity anonymous to the public at large.

The following resources are intended to help you make the most informed decisions when encountering difficult ethical situations in your workplace.

Protect yourself. Do not use government, contractor, or grantee equipment or technology to access any of these resources. The information provided here is not legal advice.

Caught Between Conscience and Career

Expose abuse without exposing your identity. This survival guide covers what federal sector employees should consider before potentially blowing the whistle.

A collaboration of POGO, Government Accountability Project, and Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility

Read the survival guide

Know Your Rights

Whistleblowing is not a crime — in many cases, it is a legally protected right. This interactive quiz can help you learn more about your whistleblower rights and protections as a federal sector employee.

Take the quiz

E-course:
Federal Employee Survival Guide

We've distilled our survival guide into this 8-week e-course. Learn key lessons and tips each week on how to protect yourself and your career, delivered right to your inbox.

We will never share your information.

Share Documents and Tips

Have a tip on systemic wrongdoing? We may be able to further research your concerns, bring public attention to the issue, and alert those who can bring about change.

Learn More

Legal and Advocacy Resources

POGO does not provide legal representation. We do, however, maintain a list of law firms with experience in these matters and of other advocacy organizations that may be of help to you.

Learn More

Browse Our Work on Whistleblowers

Articles: Highlights

  • Confrontation over Intelligence Whistleblower Complaint Shows Laws Falling Short

    analysis | September 18, 2019 | Nick Schwellenbach & Mandy Smithberger

  • Revoking Clearances on a Whim Hurts Whistleblowers—and the Rest of Us

    analysis | September 14, 2018 | Rebecca Jones

  • How Whistleblowers Can Work With POGO

    analysis | February 23, 2017 | Nick Schwellenbach

  • PODCAST: Would-Be Whistleblowers Need to Know Their Rights

    analysis | April 4, 2017 | Mandy Smithberger

  • Considerations for Working with Whistleblowers in a Technological Age

    analysis | June 6, 2017 | Danielle Brian

  • Survivor’s Guide to Being a Successful Whistleblower in the Federal Government

    analysis | February 24, 2017 | Nick Schwellenbach

  • Strengthening Whistleblower Protections Still a Bipartisan Issue

    analysis | May 30, 2017 | Liz Hempowicz

  • Watchdog Finds Majority of Pentagon Whistleblowers Out of Luck

    analysis | October 13, 2017 | Mandy Smithberger

  • Time to End the Silent Suffering—Whistleblower Protections in the Military

    analysis | May 29, 2013 | Christine Anderson

  • Busting the Myth of Whistleblower Protections for IC Contractors

    analysis | September 20, 2016 | Liz Hempowicz

Articles: Latest

  • Homeland Security’s Embattled Watchdog Faces Probe

    investigation | February 11, 2022

  • Seven-Year Contractor Whistleblower Case Meets a Sad End

    analysis | September 9, 2021

  • CIA Drove Spike in Media Leak Investigation Requests Under Trump

    investigation | July 30, 2021

  • Did Whistleblower Reprisal Help Set the Stage for a January 6 Intelligence Failure?

    investigation | July 1, 2021

  • Protecting Whistleblowers and Promoting Accountability

    testimony | May 19, 2021

  • POGO Statement for the Record on Whistleblower Reforms at the Department of Veterans Affairs

    testimony | April 21, 2021

  • Strengthening Government Watchdogs

    testimony | April 20, 2021

  • Testimony on Strengthening Watchdogs and Whistleblower Protections

    testimony | April 15, 2021

  • How a “Small Business” Kingpin Wins Billions in Defense Contracts

    investigation | February 18, 2021

  • Defense Bill Includes Two Landmark Transparency Provisions

    analysis | January 21, 2021

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