Can Federal Employees Be Fired for Talking About Wages?
Many of our clients wonder whether a casual conversation about their pay may have played a role in their disciplinary action. Consequently, we’re often asked, Can federal employees be fired for talking about wages? The short answer is no. Federal law protects federal employees from termination or punishment simply for talking about their wages. In […]
Disability Rights for Federal Employees: Understanding Your Rights
Our society is constantly changing. However, ensuring equitable rights and opportunities for everyone is still a top priority. This includes individuals with disabilities. If you are a federal employee with a disability, then you need to know about the full scope of your rights. Let’s explore the existing federal laws and how they protect you […]
Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Overview
There are a variety of work-related benefits for federal employees compared to those employees working in the private sector. Chief among these benefits is the government’s health benefits. However, understanding the nuances of your healthcare benefits as a federal employee is essential if you want to make the most of them. Furthermore, these benefits often […]
FERS Disability Retirement Eligibility
Individuals often remind government workers of the advantages of their positions. But if you were for the federal government, you may at times feel trapped and without rights. This is especially true for workers who have a disability. Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) disability eligibility is complex. Many federal employees are not aware of this […]
Am I Eligible for Federal Disability Retirement with Mental Health Conditions?
If you are a federal employee with mental health conditions, you’re probably thinking about your financial future. What if your condition worsens? What if you’re not able to continue your work? In our legal work, we find that many federal employees with mental health conditions are interested in federal disability retirement. Perhaps you are in […]
What Is a Protected Disclosure in a Federal Whistleblower Case?
Under federal whistleblower law, a protected disclosure is a report of wrongdoing or misconduct made by an employee or contractor of the federal government. The disclosure must be made in good faith. In addition, it must concern several specific types of allegations, such as a violation of a law, rule, regulation, or other legal requirement. […]
What Is the FERS Disability Processing Time?
If you’re a federal employee and can’t work due to a medical condition, your employer has you covered. The federal government’s Federal Employment Retirement System (FERS) offers disability retirement benefits to employees in your situation. But if you are claiming FERS benefits, you may wonder, What is the FERS disability retirement processing time? After getting […]
Build Your Case: Proving Discrimination in a Winning EEOC Case
Proving discrimination as a federal employee isn’t always a straightforward process. In fact, knowing how to prove discrimination in an EEOC case involves several steps. First, you need to know what kind of discrimination you’re facing. Second, you need to prove a prima facie case. Third, you need to show that the agency’s supposedly legitimate […]
Filing Workers’ Comp for Stress and Anxiety—What Federal Employees Should Know
Most federal workers are familiar with the workers’ compensation program, operated by the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP). The OWCP allows for workers who suffer a work-related injury to obtain medical and income-replacement benefits while they are unable to work. What fewer people know, however, is that federal employees can also obtain workers’ compensation […]
Constructive Discharge vs. Wrongful Termination—What Is the Difference?
If you felt forced to leave your job because the environment was unbearable, the terms constructive discharge and wrongful termination may come to mind. While both terms relate to ending employment, the main difference between wrongful termination and constructive discharge is the person who ends the employment relationship. In constructive discharge cases, the employee terminates […]