Posted on Jul 25, 2015
Some good news? VA whistleblowers, punished for revealing excessive opiate use and infestation, are exonerated
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These whistleblowers have now been exonerated by the office that investigates claims of retaliation against federal employees. The Office of Special Counsel announced this week that it has smoothed the way for the Department of Veterans Affairs to make amends to Thompson, Christensen and Honl with monetary settlements, reinstatements to their jobs and by purging their records of negative claims.
“Rather than silencing the messenger, supervisors can use disclosures as opportunities to address problems,” Special Counsel Carolyn Lerner said in a statement. “It’s an important sign of progress that the VA settled these cases and provided relief to the employees who suffered retaliation.”
The employees, who shared harrowing experiences with investigators of being ostracized, harassed and punished for reporting their concerns about mismanagement, have plenty of company. The special counsel’s office says it has helped more than 45 whistleblowers with claims of retaliation by VA in the last two years, by getting their jobs back and, in some cases, securing compensatory damages.
http://www.stripes.com/news/veterans/va-whistleblowers-punished-for-revealing-excessive-opiate-use-and-infestation-are-exonerated-1.359585
“Rather than silencing the messenger, supervisors can use disclosures as opportunities to address problems,” Special Counsel Carolyn Lerner said in a statement. “It’s an important sign of progress that the VA settled these cases and provided relief to the employees who suffered retaliation.”
The employees, who shared harrowing experiences with investigators of being ostracized, harassed and punished for reporting their concerns about mismanagement, have plenty of company. The special counsel’s office says it has helped more than 45 whistleblowers with claims of retaliation by VA in the last two years, by getting their jobs back and, in some cases, securing compensatory damages.
http://www.stripes.com/news/veterans/va-whistleblowers-punished-for-revealing-excessive-opiate-use-and-infestation-are-exonerated-1.359585
Posted in these groups: 
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 7
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At least the VA exonerated them in the end and paid them some money. I am kind of surprised they did that.
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TSgt David L.
Right on target SGM Steve Wettstein. They must have fu, I mean messed up bad to give the whistle blowers the red carpet treatment. Good to see that change can happen.
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This is good news. Valid whistle blowers should be allowed to point out problems without fear of reprisal. As long as the claims are valid, not vindictive.
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At this point it is too soon to sing praises for this.
The VA still fights veterans tooth and nail through the entire process. VA doctors are still forbidden to help veterans in establishing a real claim. Everyone seems so afraid that a veteran will get what they really deserve. Doctors also seem afraid to provide the veterans with the quality medical services that they need in a timely manner, if the provide them at all.
The VA still fights veterans tooth and nail through the entire process. VA doctors are still forbidden to help veterans in establishing a real claim. Everyone seems so afraid that a veteran will get what they really deserve. Doctors also seem afraid to provide the veterans with the quality medical services that they need in a timely manner, if the provide them at all.
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