​​​​​​Confidentiality Requirements

As part of our mission to protect the public interest and improve Oregon government, the Secretary of State has established a toll-free telephone line​ for public employees and the public to use when ​reporting misuse of state government resources by state agencies, state employees or people under contract with state agencies. Please refer to ORS 177.170(1)​ for more information.

The identity of anyone calling the State Government Accountability Hotline or otherwise making a report under ORS 177.170 is confidential per ORS 177.180(2).

Waiver of Confidentiality

At times, a report can only be followed up on or investigated if the identity of the individual is made known. ORS 177.180(2) provides that a person making a report under ORS 177.170 may waive the confidentiality granted under ORS 177.180(2). If an individual waives confidentiality, it may become known that the individual filed a hotline report, and we have no control over how an agency may respond. If you are willing to have your name disclosed in relation to the investigation of your call please review and fill out the waiver of confidentiality here​.

Oregon Whistleblower Law

Public employees are protected from discrimination, dismissal, demotion, transfer, reassignment, reprimand ​or other disciplinary action under ORS 659A.199 for responding to official requests to disclose employer violations of any federal or state law, rule or regulation, mismanagement, gross waste of funds, abuse of authority, or substantial and specific danger to public health and safety.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​