The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is proposing that federal agencies implement standardized nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) for employees to prevent internal discussions from leaking to the media. OPM Director Scott Kupor stated that the proposal is undergoing the regulatory process, allowing for public comments. The NDAs would require employees to acknowledge existing confidentiality rules, aiming to protect sensitive discussions while addressing concerns about potential impacts on whistleblower protections and employee speech.
Kupor emphasized the need for NDAs to facilitate open dialogue within agencies, citing challenges in managing discussions when employees may disclose details to the media. He clarified that the proposed NDAs would not impose new restrictions on employee speech but would standardize the acknowledgment of existing obligations regarding confidential information.
Critics argue that the initiative could expand oversight and control narratives within the administration. Kupor responded by asserting that the NDAs are intended to encourage honest conversations without fear of media leaks, while still allowing employees to make authorized disclosures under federal law, including whistleblower complaints.
The proposal is currently open for public comment until June 26, 2026.