Original Issuance Date: July 1, 2015
Last Revision Date:
1. Purpose
The purpose of this practice directive is to provide UW System institutions with information on Whistleblower Law contained in Wis. Stat. Chapter 230.
2. Background
Four subchapters make up Wis. Stat. Chapter 230. Subchapters I and II no longer apply to UW System employees. Subchapters III (Employee Protection) and IV (Employee Freedom of Speech Protection) continue to apply to UW System employees because UW System institution employees remain employees of governmental units within the meaning of Subchapters III and IV of Chapter 230.
Under Subchapter III (Wis. Stat §230.80 et seq.) , UW System employees, and other state employees, except for the exceptions that are listed in in Wis. Stat. § 230.80(3) and §36.115(3m) (ae) to (f) , may not be retaliated against for disclosing information regarding a violation of any state or federal law, rule or regulation, mismanagement or abuse of authority in state or local government, substantial waste of public funds, or a danger to public health or safety. An employee may disclose information to any other person. However, before disclosing information to anyone other than an attorney, collective bargaining representative, or legislature, the employee must disclose the information in writing to the employee’s supervisor, or disclose the information in writing to an appropriate governmental unit designated by the Equal Rights Division, a division of the state Department of Workforce Development.
Effective July 1, 2015, the development of new personnel systems for UW-Madison and for the balance of UW System institutions does not affect the protections provided by Subchapter III of Chapter 230 (Employee Protection) of the Wisconsin Statutes.
3. Definitions
Please see SYS 1225, Terms and Definitions, for a list of general terms and definitions.
4. Practice Directive
The development of new personnel systems for UW-Madison and for the balance of UW-System institutions does not affect the protections provided by Subchapter III of Chapter 230 of the Wisconsin Statutes.
5. Related Documents
Wis. Stat. Chapter 230, Subchapter IV, Employee Freedom of Speech Protection