Federal Employee Performance Improvement Plan (PIP)
Just like their private-sector counterparts, federal employees must meet performance standards. When federal employees fail to meet their performance standards, it can cost them their careers. Unlike most private-sector employers, the government cannot simply fire federal employees when they begin to perform poorly. Instead, management must place the employee on a performance improvement plan (PIP). […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Does Title VII Apply to Federal Employees?
Since its passage, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 has served as the cornerstone of federal anti-discrimination law. It prohibits discrimination based on race, religion, sex, national origin, and color for most private-sector organizations, as well as state and local government entities. Fortunately, Title VII applies to all federal employees. However, Article […]