The Energy Department delays removing a rule that encourages mediation for whistleblowers

The Energy Department is delaying a plan to remove a rule that encourages mediation for employees who report wrongdoing. This means employees who report problems at the department's contractor companies will still be encouraged to use alternative dispute resolution.

The Energy Department's Contractor Employee Protection Program is meant to protect workers who report safety or other violations. Encouraging mediation can sometimes push whistleblowers to settle quietly, rather than pursuing formal complaints that might expose systemic issues. Delaying the removal of this rule means the department is still implicitly favoring quiet settlements over public accountability.