Whistle-Blower's Act
Whistle-blower complaints may be filed with the OIG or with the Office of the Chief Inspector General (OCIG). When you file a Whistle-blower complaint with the OCIG, they will review your complaint and usually refer it to the state agency to which the complaint relates for a Whistle-blower Determination. When the OIG receives a Whistle-blower complaint, either directly from the complainant or forwarded from the OCIG, the OIG will contact the complainant by telephone to conduct a telephone interview and obtain the information needed to determine whether the complaint meets Whistle-blower criteria.
Whistle-blower criteria is defined by Florida Statute (§§ 112.3187-112.31895, F.S.). To become a Whistle-blower and be given the protections outlined in the Whistle-blower’s Act, the complainant and information disclosed must meet the following criteria:
- The complainant must be a current or former employee of a state agency or an entity that contracts with the state agency, or an applicant for employment with a state agency or an entity that contracts with the state agency; and
- The information in the complaint must be one of the following:
- An alleged or suspected violation of any federal, state, or local law, rule, or regulation committed by an employee or agent of an agency or independent contractor. The violation committed must create and present a substantial and specific danger to the public’s health, safety, or welfare;
or - An alleged or suspected act of gross mismanagement, malfeasance, misfeasance, gross waste of public funds, suspected or actual Medicaid fraud or abuse, or gross neglect of duty committed by an employee or agent of an agency or independent contractor.
- An alleged or suspected violation of any federal, state, or local law, rule, or regulation committed by an employee or agent of an agency or independent contractor. The violation committed must create and present a substantial and specific danger to the public’s health, safety, or welfare;
View the Whistle-blower’s Hotline Brochure
Access the Whistle-blower Form
Other avenues of reporting complaints include:
- Anonymously report waste through the Get Lean Hotline: 1-800-438-5326
- Whistle-blower Hotline: 1-800-543-5353
- EEO, Sexual Harassment and Retaliation complaints are handled by your local EEO Office, the Office of Civil Rights, or the Florida Commission on Human Relations (FCHR)