If you believe you were retaliated against for whistleblowing, you may file a whistleblower retaliation complaint with the Office of Public Hearings (OPH). Follow the steps to file your complaint.
Step 1: Determine If you can file
You may file a complaint if:
- You work for a state agency, quasi-public agency, or large state contractor
- You reported corruption, mismanagement, or other improper activity
- You reported the issue to a proper authority
- Your employer took action against you because of that report
Retaliation may include termination, demotion, discipline, or other negative job actions.
Step 2: Complete the complaint form
You must complete the official Whistleblower Retaliation Complaint Form.
The form asks for:
- Your contact information
- Your employer’s information
- Details about what you reported
- A description of the retaliation
- Important dates related to your claim
All information must be accurate and complete.
Step 3: File within the legal time limit
Your complaint must be filed within the time period allowed by law - which is 90 days from the retaliation. Complaints filed after the deadline may be dismissed as untimely.
It is important to file as soon as possible.
Step 4: Submit the complaint to OPH
Submit the completed and signed complaint according to the instructions on the form.
Be sure to:
- Sign the complaint
- Include all required information
- Attach any supporting documents
Step 5: Public hearing
If your case proceeds:
- A public hearing will be scheduled
- Both sides may present evidence and testimony
- A hearing officer oversees the process
You may represent yourself or choose legal representation.
Step 6: Decision
After the hearing:
- The hearing officer reviews all evidence
- A written decision is issued
- The decision explains the outcome of your complaint
