U.S. Office of Special Counsel's Initial Request for Stay of Personnel Actions

The Office of Special Counsel (OSC) filed several requests that the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) "stay" (pause) the removals of probationary employees at several agencies while OSC investigated suspected prohibited personnel practices (PPPs). OSC is a separate agency unrelated to the special counsels in the Department of Justice. OSC investigates PPPs, which are personnel actions that Congress barred in 5 U.S.C. § 2302, such as whistleblower retaliation, political affiliation discrimination, and violations of laws implementing merit system principles. OSC can file a complaint with the MSPB seeking relief for employees who have been subjected to PPPs, and it can request that the MSPB order disciplinary action against certain management officials. Under 5 U.S.C. § 1214, OSC may also seek, and any individual member of the MSPB may grant, a stay of a personnel investigation while OSC investigates a suspected PPP. OSC posted a redacted copy of one of the stay requests online.