; and (II) the protection of whistleblowers within the Department. (v) Such other matters as the Deputy Secretary considers appropriate regarding the functions of the Office or other matters relating to the Office. (2) If the Secretary receives a recommendation for disciplinary action under subsection (b)(1)(I) and does not take or initiate the recommended disciplinary action before the date that is 60 days after the date on which the Secretary received the recommendation, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Education and the Workforce of the House of Representatives a detailed justification for not taking or initiating such disciplinary action. 4. Protection of whistleblowers as criteria in evaluation of supervisors (a) Development and use of criteria required The Secretary, in consultation with the Office of the Principal Deputy Secretary, shall develop criteria that— (1) the Secretary shall use as a critical element in any evaluation of the performance of a supervisory employee