Implement a plan to annually survey all HUD program offices to identify nondisclosure policies, forms, and agreements issued and to determine whether they include the anti-gag provision as required by WPEA and, as necessary, to take corrective action to ensure that they include the anti-gag provision.
Publication Report
2024-OE-0007 | December 13, 2024
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Nondisclosure Agreements’ Incorporation of Whistleblower Protections
We obtained the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) two nondisclosure policies and two nondisclosure forms applicable to HUD employees. We also obtained 13 nondisclosure agreements between HUD and HUD employees. The… moreRelated Recommendations
Office of Administration
- Status2024-OE-0007-01OpenClosed
Revise HUD’s Controlled Unclassified Information Policy to include the anti-gag provision.
- Status2024-OE-0007-02OpenClosed
Revise HUD’s Controlled Unclassified Information Policy to state that (a) nondisclosure forms and agreements must include the anti-gag provision as required by law and (b) confidentiality clauses in personnel settlement agreements must include the anti-gag provision if the clause restricts disclosure of any other information beyond the terms and conditions of the agreement itself.
Chief Financial Officer
- Status2024-OE-0007-03OpenClosed
Review whether potential violations of the Antideficiency Act took place because of implementing or enforcing any nondisclosure policies, forms, or agreements that do not include the anti-gag provision as required by law. If it is determined that a violation occurred, the Chief Financial Officer should take disciplinary actions as appropriate and report the identified violations to the oversight authorities, including the HUD Secretary, the President, the Office of Management and Budget, Congress, and the Comptroller General.
General Counsel
- Status2024-OE-0007-05OpenClosed
Communicate across HUD that (a) HUD employees are required to include the anti-gag provision in nondisclosure policies, forms, and agreements applicable to HUD employees and (b) program offices should consider requiring their employees to request OGC assistance when implementing and enforcing nondisclosure policies, forms, and agreements applicable to HUD employees.
Government National Mortgage Association
- Status2024-OE-0007-06OpenClosed
Revise the Ginnie Mae Confidential Information Policy to state that in the future, (a) nondisclosure forms and agreements must include the anti-gag provision as required by law and (b) confidentiality clauses in personnel settlement agreements must include the anti-gag provision if the clause restricts disclosure of any other information beyond the terms and conditions of the agreement itself.