The Ombudsman's role is to educate FAA employees about prohibitions on retaliation for protected disclosures and educate agency employees who have made or are contemplating making a protected disclosure about the rights and remedies against retaliation for protected disclosures. 

The Ombudsman’s office is also a confidential resource for FAA employees to discuss specific retaliation allegations and available rights and remedies.

How to contact the FAA Whistleblower Ombudsman

The FAA Whistleblower Ombudsman may be contacted at: Whistleblower-Help@faa.gov.

You may also submit a confidential electronic complaint using the link below:

Office of the Whistleblower Ombudsman | Form

NOTE: If you are not a FAA employee but are an employee of a U.S. air carrier or U.S. aircraft/component manufacturer, their contractor, or sub-contractor and believe you have been retaliated against, please report that using the AIR21 Whistleblower Protection Program Form.

Frequently Asked Questions

What constitutes whistleblowing?

A "whistleblower" is an individual who makes a protected disclosure that falls under one of these categories:

• A violation of any law, rule, or regulation
• Gross mismanagement (substantial risk of significant adverse impact on mission)
• Gross waste of funds (more than a debatable expenditure)
• Abuse of authority (an arbitrary decision for personal gain and/or to injure others)
• A substantial and specific danger to public health or safety

How does someone make a protected disclosure?

There are many options to disclose wrongdoing. An FAA employee may contact the FAA Whistleblower Ombudsman for further guidance or contact any of the following listed below:

• Report it to a supervisor or someone else in or outside your chain of command
• Report it to the Office of Audit and Evaluation (AAE)
• Report it to the DOT Office of the Inspector General
• File a complaint with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel

Can I keep my identity confidential?

Yes. The Office of the Whistleblower Ombudsman will not disclose your name outside of AAE without your permission. 

Are whistleblowers protected from retaliation?

Yes. It is against the law for an Agency to take or threaten to take an adverse personnel action against an employee because he or she has made a protected disclosure. 

What relief is available to an employee who has suffered retaliation for whistleblowing?

A number of forms of relief are available if you have been retaliated against.  These may include:

• Restoration to status quo ante 
• Backpay
• Reasonable and foreseeable consequential damages, such as medical costs and attorney fees
• Compensatory damages for pain and suffering

How can an employee seek relief for whistleblower retaliation?

The Ombudsman’s Office is available to help guide FAA employees on how to seek relief for Whistleblower Retaliation for each particular situation.

However, in general, the Office of the Special Counsel can seek relief on behalf of employees who have been retaliated against and the Merit Systems Protection Board can order relief for Whistleblower Retaliation.