Final answer:
Whistleblowers who report false claims in bad faith can be subject to legal action, as whistleblower protection laws like the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 are designed to protect individuals exposing misconduct in good faith. The correct answer is option c).
Step-by-step explanation:
Whistleblowers who report false claims are not protected by whistleblower legislation and may indeed be subject to legal action. This response caters to the nuances of whistleblowing laws, which safeguard individuals when they report wrongdoing in good faith. If the claim is knowingly false, whistleblowers lose protection under laws like the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989, and the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012. These laws, along with standards set by agencies such as OSHA, stress the importance of protecting those who act in good faith to report misconduct and help maintain organizational accountability.
However, a distinction must be made between honest and dishonest reporting. The intent behind the whistleblowing is crucial; if it's determined that the whistleblower made a false report maliciously or with fraudulent intent, they could face legal consequences, such as charges for filing a false report, defamation, or facing civil lawsuits for damages.