Religious accommodation is a major issue within the federal workplace. Consequently, clients frequently ask, Can a federal employer deny my religious accommodation request? The simple answer to this question is yes; federal employers can deny religious accommodation requests. However, they cannot do so for an arbitrary or random reason. Instead, they must meet a certain legal standard before rejecting...
Continue ReadingThe latest statistics about long COVID are shocking. Scientists estimate 10% to 30% of all COVID sufferers experience long COVID. The rates of long COVID are even higher for COVID sufferers who are older, female, or who had to be hospitalized. The symptoms of long COVID are by now familiar to most: cough, brain fog, myalgia, depression, anxiety, weakness, and fatigue. But the...
Continue ReadingStandard Form 3112 is the most vital document for federal employees seeking federal disability retirement. We cannot emphasize strongly enough how important it is to fill out an SF-3112 form correctly. Even simple mistakes can delay or upend your disability retirement application. Fortunately, we’ve written this guide to help walk you through each part of this form. We’ll discuss the...
Continue ReadingIn the realm of federal employment, sick leave is a coveted resource for those grappling with health-related hurdles. Unfortunately, federal employees often get accused of sick leave abuse. These accusations are often little more than ignorant responses to legitimate sick leave needs or open discrimination against employees with disability. Whatever the situation, it’s difficult to respond without knowing the...
Continue ReadingMigraine headaches are a serious health problem affecting almost 50 million Americans across the country. As any migraine sufferer knows, the condition is incredibly unpredictable. Individuals who suffer from migraines experience a dizzying range of symptoms, including severe pain, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound. Your work suffers, your colleagues notice, and your world feels like it’s in a perpetual...
Continue ReadingFor decades, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 has provided broad protection for disabled federal employees when they request a reasonable accommodation, however, religious accommodation protection, not so much. Practically the EEOC and Courts would apply a different stricter burden for disability accommodation on the Agency called “undue hardship,” and a much lighter standard on the Agency to show harm...
Continue ReadingAs a federal employee, your career progression is documented through a series of important documents. Perhaps the most essential one of these documents is the Standard Form 50 (SF-50). This vital form can significantly influence your eligibility for federal retirement benefits. Let’s delve into the specifics of what the SF-50 entails, its relation to your retirement, and the role...
Continue ReadingWhat Is Workplace Retaliation? In the context of a federal workplace, and as defined by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), EEO retaliation occurs when an employer punishes, penalizes, or retaliates against an employee who takes part in an EEO-protected activity, such as participating in an EEO process or “reasonably opposing conduct made unlawful by an EEO law.”...
Continue ReadingAs experienced federal employment attorneys, we often receive questions from employees facing termination. Employees ask, Can you lose your retirement if you’re fired? And what happens if you get fired from a federal job? In this article, we’ll cover these frequently asked questions and others. If you have any more questions or want advice specific to your situation, we’re...
Continue ReadingDepression is a debilitating mental health disorder that affects over 20 million Americans. As you can imagine, it can have significant and lasting impacts on an individual’s ability to perform their job duties effectively. This is especially true in high-stress environments like the federal workplace. However, the good news is that there are workplace accommodations for depression. In fact,...
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