Whistleblower Act
The Whistleblower Act, enacted by the Washington State Legislature in 1982 and amended in 1999 and 2008, provides an avenue for state employees to report suspected improper governmental action (RCW 42.40). The Legislative intent is to encourage state employees to report improper governmental actions. The law makes retaliation against people whose assertions result in a whistleblower investigation unlawful and authorizes remedies should it occur. The State Auditor's Office is responsible for investigating and reporting on assertions of improper governmental action.
Improper governmental activity is defined as any action by an employee undertaken in the performance of the employee's duties which: results in mismanagement or gross waste of public funds or resources, is in violation of federal or state law or rule, if the violation is not merely technical or of a minimum nature, and is of substantial and specific danger to the public health or safety.
Complete information and procedures for the discloser and investigation of improper governmental action can be found on the State Auditor's website.
