Whistleblower Protection & Reporting Flashcards
7 cards from real CEA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Whistleblower Protection & Reporting flashcards as text
What is the primary purpose of an anonymous ethics hotline in an organization?
Answer: To allow employees to report concerns without fear of identification-based retaliation
Anonymous hotlines enable employees to report misconduct without revealing their identity, reducing fear of retaliation and increasing reporting rates.
Under the False Claims Act, what term describes a private citizen who files a lawsuit on behalf of the government?
Answer: Qui tam relator
A qui tam relator files a lawsuit under the False Claims Act on behalf of the U.S. government and may receive a portion of recovered funds.
Which scenario best illustrates a 'chilling effect' on whistleblowing?
Answer: Employees avoid reporting violations after seeing a coworker fired following a disclosure
A chilling effect occurs when potential whistleblowers are deterred from reporting by witnessing or fearing retaliation against others.
Which type of retaliation is considered 'constructive discharge' in whistleblower cases?
Answer: Making working conditions so intolerable that the employee feels forced to resign
Constructive discharge occurs when an employer makes conditions so hostile or unbearable that a reasonable person would feel compelled to quit.
Which organization administers whistleblower retaliation complaints under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act?
Answer: OSHA's Whistleblower Protection Program
OSHA's Whistleblower Protection Program investigates retaliation complaints filed under SOX Section 806 and over 20 other federal statutes.
What is the statute of limitations for filing a whistleblower retaliation complaint under the Dodd-Frank Act?
Answer: 6 years from the date of retaliation
Dodd-Frank provides a 6-year statute of limitations for retaliation claims, significantly longer than most other whistleblower statutes.
What does 'good faith reporting' require of a whistleblower?
Answer: The whistleblower must sincerely believe the reported conduct is a potential violation
Good faith reporting requires that the whistleblower genuinely believes the reported information may constitute a violation, even if the belief ultimately proves incorrect.