US Code
CHAPTER 4— INSPECTORS GENERAL
§ 407. Complaints by employees

(a) Receipt and Investigation.—The Inspector General may receive and investigate complaints or information from an employee of the establishment concerning the possible existence of an activity constituting a violation of law, rules, or regulations, or mismanagement, gross waste of funds, abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to the public health and safety.
(b) Prohibition on Disclosure of Identity.—The Inspector General shall not, after receipt of a complaint or information from an employee, disclose the identity of the employee without the consent of the employee, unless the Inspector General determines the disclosure is unavoidable during the course of the investigation.
(c) Prohibition on Reprisal.—Any employee who has authority to take, direct others to take, recommend, or approve any personnel action, shall not, with respect to that authority, take or threaten to take any action against any employee as a reprisal for making a complaint or disclosing information to an Inspector General, unless the complaint was made or the information disclosed with the knowledge that it was false or with willful disregard for its truth or falsity.

Structure US Code

US Code

Title 5— GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION AND EMPLOYEES

PART I— THE AGENCIES GENERALLY

CHAPTER 4— INSPECTORS GENERAL

§ 401. Definitions

§ 402. Establishment and purpose of Offices of Inspector General

§ 403. Appointments

§ 404. Duties and responsibilities

§ 405. Reports

§ 406. Authority of Inspector General

§ 407. Complaints by employees

§ 408. Additional provisions with respect to the Inspector General of the Department of Defense

§ 409. Special provisions concerning the Agency for International Development

§ 410. Special provisions concerning the Nuclear Regulatory Commission

§ 411. Special provisions concerning the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

§ 412. Special provisions concerning the Department of the Treasury

§ 413. Special provisions concerning the Department of Justice

§ 414. Special provisions concerning the Corporation for National and Community Service

§ 415. Requirements for Federal entities and designated Federal entities

§ 416. Additional provisions with respect to Inspectors General of the intelligence community

§ 417. Special provisions concerning the Department of Homeland Security

§ 418. Rule of construction of special provisions

§ 419. Special provisions concerning overseas contingency operations

§ 420. Information on websites of Offices of Inspectors General

§ 421. Additional provisions with respect to the Department of Energy

§ 422. Transfer of functions

§ 423. Pay of Inspectors General

§ 424. Establishment of the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency