If an employee reports noncompliance with AWA regulations, what should happen?

When an employee reports noncompliance with the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) regulations, it is essential that they must not face discrimination or reprisal. This principle is rooted in the protections offered to whistleblowers, which are designed to encourage employees to report violations without fear of negative consequences. It ensures that individuals can responsibly disclose information about regulatory noncompliance without jeopardizing their job security or facing other punitive actions.

This protection is crucial for maintaining a culture of transparency and accountability within organizations that handle animals under AWA regulations. It helps to promote compliance and ultimately enhances animal welfare, as employees are more likely to come forward with concerns when they know they will be safeguarded against retaliation.

The other options do not align with the intent of fostering a safe environment for reporting compliance issues. Reassigning an employee might suggest that their report is being punished, while rewarding with bonuses could imply that the reporting is a transactional event rather than a moral obligation. Testing for compliance knowledge does not address the critical need for protecting whistleblowers and could infringe upon their willingness to report issues in the future.