Federal employees play an essential role in the operation of our government. Thanks to their dedication, all the government services we take for granted keep running effectively. And because of their essential duties, federal employees deserve protection from baseless allegations and false accusations. Unfortunately, many federal employees are facing charges of lack of candor. This charge can put their...
Continue ReadingPines Federal attorney Eric Pines will demonstrate his toughness in the hockey arena in May when he plays in the Rofeh Cholim Cancer Society (RCCS) Hockey Classic to raise money for cancer research. Contributing to cancer research is a central part of our firm’s commitment to community service. We encourage you to help us support RCCS in its mission...
Continue ReadingFederal employees are entitled to request a reasonable accommodation from their employer if they have a qualifying disability, thanks to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Unfortunately, employers sometimes do refuse valid requests for reasonable accommodations. Our nationwide federal employment reasonable accommodations attorneys explain what you can do if your reasonable accommodation was denied....
Continue ReadingPost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious and common disability in the United States and globally. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), about 6% of Americans will struggle with PTSD. And the effects of PTSD can be devastating. Victims are stuck reliving the event through nightmares and flashbacks. They also struggle to avoid “triggers” and overcome...
Continue ReadingWe hear the word “anxiety” more often, but not everyone understands its impact. There are many different anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder. Collectively, anxiety disorders are the most common mental issues in the United States. They affect almost 20% of the adult population. As the attitudes towards anxiety evolve, federal employees’ reasonable...
Continue ReadingMany federal employees working for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) fall under Title 38 of the United States Code. Title 38 wrongful termination laws protect employees. Among these laws are the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Americans with Disabilities (ADA). If you are a Title 38 employee who has received a termination notice from your employer,...
Continue ReadingYour health may be a very private matter to you. If you’re someone who values privacy concerning illnesses or symptoms you may be experiencing, you probably want to limit those who know about them to a need-to-know basis. People you’d probably feel comfortable talking about your symptoms with probably include your doctor, family, and friends – would your employer...
Continue ReadingOn behalf of Pines Federal, I would like to take a moment to remember a friend and colleague, Mr. Robert R. McGill, who passed away earlier this month due to an unexpected illness. He was a pioneer in representing OPM disability retirement applications. When I first began working on applications 15 years ago, Mr. McGill was one of the...
Continue ReadingIs it Legal For Me to Be Removed From My Job For Medical Reasons? Generally, the answer is yes. An agency may remove a FERS or CSRS civil service employee if he or she is unable, because of a medical condition, to perform the duties of the position. But, to sustain the removal at the MSPB, the Agency will...
Continue Reading“Conduct Unbecoming” is an umbrella term designed to encompass a wide range of behaviors that do not fall into any other agency charge. Unlike more specific charges, such as “Failure to Follow Instructions” or “Misuse of a Government Vehicle,” there are no specific elements for conduct unbecoming charges. Instead, the government needs to prove that the conduct occurred and...
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