Office of Special Counsel July 2019 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) seeks approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for use of a 2019 survey that differs slightly in process and timing from a previously approved information collection, OSC's annual survey. The prior OMB approval for the annual survey expired November 30, 2016. As required by statute, since 1994 OSC has conducted an annual survey collecting feedback from those who have filed complaints/disclosures with OSC. The prior surveys required 12 minutes to complete. The proposed OSC 2019 survey consists of a single electronic questionnaire with eleven questions that requires 5.5 minutes to complete. The prior annual surveys could only be sent after OSC closed the individual's complaint or disclosure file. The timing therefore deprived OSC of useful feedback about how individuals perceive OSC as they are in the process of working or engaging with OSC. Congress authorized this 2019 survey (and suspended the previously approved annual survey), so OSC could collect feedback from individuals who file complaints or disclosures with OSC while their cases or queries are open. See the OSC Reauthorization Act of 2017, Public Law 115, Sec. 1097. OSC is requesting emergency approval for the proposed 2019 survey, which by statute must be completed by the end of FY2019.

On June 9, 2017, the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) published a final rule revising its regulations regarding the filing of complaints and disclosures with OSC, and updated OSC's prohibited personnel practice provisions. The rule's effective date was delayed indefinitely on July 14, 2017. This document establishes the effective date for the rule.