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 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 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...
Continue ReadingIf you are a federal employee, disciplinary actions may be something you never thought you would have to face. But whereas most federal employees appeal disciplinary actions only before the Merit Systems Protection Board, the VA disciplinary appeals process differs slightly. Disciplinary Appeals Board (DAB) hearings address whether the employee demonstrated professional misconduct or incompetence. A DAB hearing features...
Continue ReadingTwo of the most important laws for federal employees are the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the Americans with Disabilities (ADA). While the FMLA and the ADA overlap in several ways, they have significant differences too. Essentially, both the FMLA and ADA provide special entitlements to employees with health issues or disabilities. The FMLA focuses on providing up...
Continue ReadingIn November 2022, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) released a new final rule that rescinded several labor regulations implemented by former President Donald Trump’s administration. The new rules represent a big victory for federal employees across the country. Thanks to this new rule, federal employees can once again negotiate clean record agreements with federal agencies. Our federal employment lawyers...
Continue ReadingIf you are a federal employee and are disabled, injured, or ill and find that you are no longer capable of performing your job, you may be entitled to Office of Personnel Management (OPM) disability retirement benefits. If you are anxious to submit your application to get financial security as quickly as possible, you might be wondering how long...
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