The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 (“FY2013 NDAA”) made several key changes to whistleblower protections applicable to government contractors. These expansions will have immediate and significant effects on the way that contractors must operate, both before and after a whistleblower’s complaint is lodged. It is essential that contractors understand the scope of these changes and the broader compliance landscape that includes several other laws and regulations focused on establishing protections for whistleblowers.

The FY2013 NDAA’s provisions give rise to legal issues pertaining to government contracting and employment law. In this 90-minute webinar, attorneys from each of these groups will provide you with the key takeaways of these new whistleblower protections and how they will affect your business.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the purpose and background of the new whistleblower protections against the background of the current political climate and compliance landscape.
• Identify the scope and effect of the new whistleblower protections: who is considered a “whistleblower”? What sort of disclosures entitle an employee to these protections? New burdens of proof and statues of limitations for whistleblower complaints; Increased damages available, including attorney’s fees.
• Understand the employment law implications of the new whistleblower protections: what is a “retaliation” under the law? Can an employee or contractor’s rights be waived or altered by agreement?
• Determine how to handle a whistleblower complaint once filed: how to conduct an investigation; how to deal with the whistleblower.
• Appreciate the benefit of compliance program best practices: internal reporting, supervision and establishing a culture of compliance; effective training programs.
• And much, much more!