Final answer:
The Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 provided protection for federal whistleblowers, establishing the Merit Systems Protection Board to investigate abuses and protect employees.
Step-by-step explanation:
Protection for federal employees who expose illegal, corrupt, or wasteful government activities was provided by the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978. This act established rights for federal whistleblowers, setting up protection from reprisals. Specifically, it created the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), which hears complaints, investigates possible abuses, and institutes protections for employees who speak out. Furthermore, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) was also created under this act to handle the recruitment and hiring of government employees. Over time, additional legislation such as the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 and the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012 have further strengthened these protections.