OSC has approximately 110 employees composed primarily of personnel management specialists, investigators and attorneys.5 In fiscal 2015, OSC had a budget of $22 million.6
- Provides a safe channel for federal employees, former employees and applicants to disclose violations of law, rule or regulation, gross mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety in the federal government
- Brings petitions for stays and petitions for corrective action
- Files a complaint or makes recommendations for disciplinary action
- Reviews rules and regulations issued by the director of the Office of Personnel Management and, where the special counsel finds that any such rule or regulation would on its face or as implemented require the commission of a prohibited personnel practice, files a written complaint with the board
- Investigates and brings actions concerning allegations of violations of other laws within the jurisdiction of the Office of Special Counsel (5 U.S.C. § 1212)
- Enforces USERRA, which:
- Protects veterans from employment discrimination
- Provides for their reinstatement upon their return from military duty
- Represents aggrieved federal employees before the Merit Systems Protection Board and in federal court7