Dateline: June 12, 2014

A federal watchdog agency will investigate a growing number of allegations that the Department of Veterans Affairs retaliated against whistleblowing VA employees, including some who reported actions related to the agency’s medical appointment delay scandal.

The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) announced last week that it would investigate claims of retaliation against 37 whistleblowers at 28 VA facilities in 18 states and Puerto Rico – so far.

The whistleblowers claim VA managers demoted, suspended and slapped poor performance ratings on employees who tried to report secret, unauthorized appointment scheduling practices and “other threats to patient care” at VA hospitals, according to the OSC.

The VA recently agreed to hold off on disciplinary actions against three of the employees pending results of the OSC’s investigation. One of the employees, facing a 30-day suspension without pay, had never before been disciplined in more than 20 years of working for the VA.

“OSC appreciates the VA’s cooperation in providing interim relief to these employees,” stated the OSC in a press release. “However, employees will not come forward if they fear retaliation.”

Both veterans’ groups and federal employees unions have expressed concerns that fear of retaliation would prevent more VA employees from reporting incidents of lengthy appointment delays and improper scheduling procedures.

On June 5, acting VA Secretary Sloan Gibson visited the Phoenix VA hospital -- “ground zero” in the appointment delay scandal – to detail steps he had taken since former Sec.

Eric Shinseki resigned on May 30 to fix the tragic mess the VA healthcare system has become.

“No Veteran should ever have to wait to receive the care they have earned through their service and sacrifice,” said Gibson. “I believe that trust is the foundation for everything we do -- VA must be an organization built on transparency and accountability.”

The Office of Special Counsel enforces laws protecting federal employees and applicants from prohibited personnel practices, especially reprisal for whistleblowing.

Whistleblowers are specifically protected by the Civil Service Reform Act, and the Whistleblower Protection Act.