OSC Warns Agencies of Email Monitoring Restrictions

The Office of Special Counsel is reminding agencies not to engage in email monitoring that could have a chilling effect on whistleblowers who report waste, fraud and abuse.

In a memo last week, Special Counsel Carolyn Lerner urged agencies to evaluate their employee email monitoring policies.

"Although lawful agency monitoring of employees communications serves legitimate purposes, federal law also protects the ability of workers to exercise their legal rights to disclose wrongdoing without fear of retaliation, which is essential to good government," according to the memo.

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