What to Know About Federal Medical Retirement
If you’re a federal government worker with a medical condition, you may be able to take advantage of the federal government’s medical retirement. Civil service medical retirement is possible if you are a civil servant with a disabling medical condition. However, your agency first needs to determine that it cannot accommodate or reassign you. If […]
Pregnancy Discrimination Overview for Federal Employees
Treating a woman unfavorably because of pregnancy and childbirth has been against the law for decades. However, there are between 2,000 and 4,000 pregnancy discrimination claims annually in the federal workplace. While pregnancy discrimination may seem explanatory to some, it’s wise to educate yourself on what it is. Education is important if you or a […]
Reasonable Accommodation for Federal Employees
Reasonable accommodation is a vital resource for federal employees with a disability. And yet, it is far from being a straightforward area of law. Because of that complexity, it’s easy for unsavory federal employers to abuse their employees’ rights through jargon and misdirection. Alternatively, inept or misguided HR offices provide misleading and false information to […]
Sexual Harassment in the Federal Workplace
Sexual harassment in the federal workplace continues to be a major issue for public servants. According to a survey by the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), approximately 14% of employees experienced sexual harassment in the workplace. Given this high incidence, every federal employee must understand what sexual harassment looks like. In addition, we want to […]
What If I Miss the Deadline for Filing an MSPB Appeal?
The Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) appeals process is vital for defending federal employees’ rights. But as with all other legal processes, the MSPB appeal timeline is strict. For various reasons, it’s not uncommon for workers to inadvertently miss the deadline to file an MSPB appeal. If you find yourself in this situation, don’t panic. […]
What Does the MSPB Have Jurisdiction Over?
The Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) is an independent government agency that plays a federal role in protecting the rights of federal employees. Specifically, it evaluates claims of prohibited personnel practices while also adjudicating the appeals of federal employees. Although federal employees can submit complaints to other agencies like the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) […]
When to Consider Filing an MSPB Appeal
Have you been the target of a long suspension, demotion, or removal action? If so, then you most likely have an opportunity to file an appeal with the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). Participating in the MSPB appeal process is one of many rights you enjoy as a federal employee. This appeal provides you the […]
5 Steps to Take After Facing Harassment in the Federal Workplace
Hostile workplace harassment is any discriminatory behavior that creates an offensive work environment or unreasonably interferes with your work performance. It can take on endless forms. However, it often has the same debilitating effects. Maybe you find it impossible to get out of bed in the morning. Or suffer panic attacks in the office. Whatever […]
How to Prove Disability Discrimination
The government has passed many laws over the years to eliminate discrimination against people because of their disabilities. Disability discrimination is illegal under the Americans with Disabilities Act, yet this kind of discrimination happens all the time. If you become the victim of disability discrimination, it can easily turn your life upside down. Sometimes disability […]
What Is the Pendleton Act, and How Does it Relate to Federal Employees Nationwide?
Although few civil servants have heard of it, The Pendleton Act of 1883 is a cornerstone of United States federal employment law. Officially known as the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act, the law was designed to establish a merit-based system for federal employment. It instituted the principle that federal employees should receive jobs because of […]