| Read Time: 3 minutes | Workplace Harassment

What Is Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment for Federal Employees? 

Federal law recognizes several kinds of sexual harassment. One category encompasses comments and behavior that target a person because of their sex. Another type involves unsolicited or unwanted sexual advances. In this article, we’ll zero in on quid pro quo sexual harassment, which is when someone at work offers you something in return for doing a sexual act for them.  Quid pro quo sexual harassment is often emotionally traumatizing and overwhelming for the victim. If you believe you’re facing quid pro quo sexual harassment, you must understand precisely what it is and how to respond. We’ll cover those topics and more in this piece. If you need more assistance after reading this page, contact a federal employment attorney immediately.    What Is Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment? “Quid pro quo” is an old Latin phrase meaning “something given or received for something else.” Hence, quid pro quo sexual harassment occurs when someone at your work approaches you and demands sexual favors in exchange for something work-related. The harasser may promise you a promotion or pay raise if you deliver a sexual favor. Another typical example of quid pro quo sexual harassment is one in which the harasser threatens to hurt you or your career unless you do what they want. Whichever form quid pro quo sexual harassment takes, it constitutes illegal federal workplace harassment under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. How to Prove Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment  Quid pro quo sexual harassment cases require establishing specific elements to hold your federal employer legally accountable. These elements may vary slightly depending on the case, but they generally include the following: Keep in mind that the law protects both existing employees and job applicants. Therefore, you can bring a quid pro quo sexual harassment claim if an agency official promises you employment if you give in to their sexual advances. Proving the Elements You can use different evidence to prove the elements of a quid pro quo claim. Examples include documentary evidence, such as emails, memorandums, informal notes, and meeting minutes. Statements from witnesses are also incredibly valuable, as are video and audio recordings. One of the best ways to prevail in your sexual harassment claim is always to make notes of any incidents of sexual harassment. Hiring an attorney also helps you collect valuable evidence because employment attorneys have the tools to obtain useful information from your employer.     Our Federal Employment Attorneys Can Help You Obtain the Compensation You Deserve Nobody should have to deal with sexual harassment, especially in the federal workplace. So, when sexual harassment happens, you must act quickly to hold the wrongdoer accountable. To maximize your chances of succeeding in your legal battle, get legal help immediately.  However, you shouldn’t go for just any attorney. There are many specialties of law, so one person can’t be an expert in every field. As you can imagine, a tax attorney will be of little assistance to you in a sexual harassment case. Instead, go with a group of dedicated, passionate federal employment lawyers. Reach out to the Federal Employment Law Firm of Aaron D. Wersing, PLLC. Unlike most other firms, we take on only federal employment cases. On top of that, we have decades of experience vindicating the rights of employees and holding harassers accountable. Together, we can work to stop the harassment, bring peace of mind, and restore your career. Just phone us or visit our website to set up a free initial consultation.

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| Read Time: 3 minutes | Federal EEOC

Filing an EEOC Complaint of Racial Discrimination

Racial discrimination in the workplace is still shockingly common. Federal employees submit between 20,000 and 40,000 complaints of racial discrimination every year. Countless more incidents of racial complaints either resolve at an informal level or go completely unreported. As a result, every federal employee must know what racial discrimination is. In addition, they also need to know how to respond to it by filing a formal complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).   If you are facing possible racial discrimination, then you’ll want to peruse this piece. We’ll first touch on what racial discrimination is under applicable law. Then, we will walk you through filing an EEOC complaint. Contact a dedicated team of federal employment attorneys today if you have additional questions or want legal advice on your specific legal situation.    Identifying Racial Discrimination Racial discrimination has been illegal in both federal and private workplaces since the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. But what exactly is racial discrimination? The simple definition is any unfavorable treatment of a person in employment because of their race. While it may sound simple enough, this definition has a few nuances to understand. For one, a person’s race includes their race and related characteristics. Examples of potential racial characteristics include a person’s hair type, facial structure, or skin color. In addition, “in employment” extends to every possible facet of a person’s job. Actions that can constitute racial discrimination include: Racial discrimination often goes hand-in-hand with color discrimination, which is unfavorable treatment because of your skin color. While the two issues are very similar, there can be vital differences. Many racial discrimination cases involve racial harassment, which is offensive behavior that makes your working environment objectively hostile.    Filing an EEOC Racial Discrimination Complaint  All EEOC racial discrimination complaints begin with a complaint to your agency’s local equal employment opportunity (EEO) office. It’s easy to initiate this. All you have to do is find your local EEO office’s contact information and report the discrimination to an EEO counselor. Contacting a counselor begins the information EEO complaint process. The counselor will try to resolve your claims through traditional counseling (which involves discussing your claims with your management) or mediation. You can choose which path to follow.  If you can’t resolve your complaint at this level, you will file a formal EEOC complaint with your agency. This triggers an investigation into the facts by a third-party investigator. The investigator will interview you, your management, the person responsible for the discrimination, and any witnesses to the behavior. They’ll also collect certain agency evidence. At the end of the investigation, the investigator will send you and your agency a Report of Investigation (ROI) that documents the factual landscape surrounding your complaint. You will also receive the right to request an EEOC hearing before an administrative judge or a Final Agency Decision.  Requesting an EEOC hearing with an administrative judge initiates formal litigation. It’s essential you have an attorney representing you by the time you request a hearing. The administrative judge will set an initial conference to discuss your claims and key procedural details. The judge will then allow the parties to conduct discovery and set a hearing date.  While you go through the discovery process and prepare for a hearing, you may have the opportunity to negotiate a fair settlement with your agency. Lawyers can be especially invaluable here because of their negotiation skills and experience. If you’re unable to negotiate a settlement, you’ll attend a hearing. The administrative judge will hear evidence from both parties and determine whether your claims have merit. You can choose to appeal an unfavorable decision.  Get the Experienced Legal Assistance You Deserve. As you can see, the EEOC complaint filing process is complex. It takes months or years to resolve and involves many specific deadlines and procedural requirements. Failure to abide by these deadlines can torpedo your case and jeopardize your career.  To ensure you get the best outcome possible, contact the team at the Federal Employment Law Firm of Aaron D. Wersing. Our entire practice revolves around defending the rights of federal employees. That means we know how to effectively assess your legal needs and brainstorm the best strategies for resolving your case. Furthermore, it costs nothing to have an initial consultation with us. Call today or visit our website to get going.  

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| Read Time: 4 minutes | Federal Employment Law

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). If the employee fails to perform adequately during the PIP, the agency can propose their removal from the federal service.  Read on to learn more about PIPs and how they can affect your career. We’ll discuss PIPs and the legal requirements your employer must meet when placing its employees on a PIP. If you have more questions or are in danger of going on a PIP yourself, consult an outstanding federal employment firm today. What Is a PIP? In contrast to private-sector employees, federal employees have due process rights for their jobs. This fact has enormous implications and gives federal employees significant protections. One of these protections is that agencies can only propose an employee for poor performance after the employee has: PIPs meet the second legal requirement. No adverse action is possible against the employee until they have failed the PIP.   What Should I Expect During a PIP? Let’s say your agency decides to place you on a PIP. The PIP process generally begins during a performance review. Your supervisor must inform you that your performance in one or more critical job elements is unsatisfactory. The supervisor will then issue you a letter informing you of your placement on the PIP. This letter will outline the length of the plan, your employer’s expectations, and the potential outcomes of the PIP.  During the PIP, your management will assign you tasks, monitor your performance closely, and provide continual feedback. Generally, supervisors will provide you with a written list of tasks for you to accomplish. They will then meet with you weekly to discuss what you did well and what you could improve. There are only two outcomes at the end of the PIP: success or failure. If you succeed, your agency cannot take any adverse action against you. If you fail, your agency can propose your demotion or removal. If your agency takes action against you, they must provide you with due process rights. These rights include at least 30 days’ advance notice, the right to respond, and the right to have a representative.  What Should I Do If I Receive a PIP? No federal employee wants a Performance Improvement Plan. If you do receive one, stay calm and read the letter thoroughly. Ensure the letter clearly identifies your performance failure, ties that failure to one or more critical elements of your job, and is consistent with your past performance reviews. Unclear or ambiguous PIPs can be indicative of illegal discrimination or harassment. Next, consult an attorney so you can understand the best path forward.   Performance Improvement Plan: Two Examples  Let’s consider two hypothetical PIP examples. Example #1: Larry’s Surprise Larry has worked for the Department of the Interior as an accountant for eight years. His performance reviews have always been acceptable, and he has received several awards during the past two years. At Larry’s last performance review, his manager told him that his performance in two critical elements of his job was unacceptable. He then gave Larry a PIP notice letter. When Larry asked for an example of the supposed performance failures, his supervisor said there were “countless examples” but refused to give details. Larry suspects that the PIP has to do with his decision to testify against his manager in an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) hearing three months ago.  Example #2: Lana’s Struggle Lana is a dedicated FBI agent with a strong record of success. However, she’s been struggling to complete her reports accurately after her mother died last year. Lana’s supervisor has repeatedly emailed her about obvious performance errors and mentioned that Lana was in danger of receiving an unacceptable rating in one of her core job duties. Consequently, it was no surprise when Lana received a PIP notice letter last week. When she reviewed the letter, she realized it was consistent with past feedback and clearly stated what Lana had to do to improve her unacceptable performance. She decided to get her act together. She hired a therapist to help her cope with the grief of her mother’s death and then dedicated herself to performing her PIP tasks correctly. Her hard work paid off, and she passed the PIP.  Don’t Fight a PIP on Your Own. Give Us a Call Today.   The Federal Employment Law Firm of Aaron D. Wersing, PLLC, is standing by to help you make sense of your PIP notice. When you consult us, we can analyze your letter, advise you of your legal options, and help you take the next steps. We strive to provide excellence in legal representation and first-class customer service. Let us help you today.  Call or visit us online to get started.

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| Read Time: 3 minutes | Federal Retirement

Federal Employee Retirement Survivor Benefits Explained

It is well known that federal employment offers many valuable benefits. Chief among these benefits is the generous federal retirement package. The retirement program in the federal government is the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), which Congress created in 1986. In addition to retirement benefits, FERS features survivor death benefits in some cases. Specifically, FERS survivor benefits grant a certain percentage of a deceased federal employee’s annual benefit amount to a current or former spouse. This article will discuss the key details of federal retirement survivor benefits, but it is always a good idea to reach out to a qualified federal employment attorney for additional information.  How Many Types of FERS Survivor Benefits Are Available?  The recipient of a deceased federal employee can receive three kinds of benefits. The first type is the current spouse survivor annuity. As the name implies, this benefit is payable only to the person who was the current spouse of the federal employee at the time of the employee’s death. The second kind of benefit is an annuity for former spouses. The former spouse annuity can arise when the deceased employee voluntarily chose to establish it before their death. Alternatively, courts can also award annuities to former spouses through a divorce decree, provided it was granted after May 7, 1985. The third and final type of benefit is a one-time lump sum benefit. These three FERS survivor benefits are available only if the employee died while employed with the federal government.  How Much Can a Current or Former Spouse Receive in FERS Survivor Benefits? If you are a beneficiary of a deceased employee who retired under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), you may be eligible for survivor benefits, which amount to 50 percent of the employee’s unreduced annual benefit. The federal employee’s annual benefit will depend on the deceased employee’s time in government service, age, and pay level. The federal employee has a large role in deciding how much their survivor benefits are, even to the point of deciding the spouse receives no survivor benefit. They can also elect for the spouse to have a partially reduced annuity or a fully reduced annuity.  How Long Do FERS Survivor Benefits Last? Surviving spouse annuities (whether to former or current spouses) continue for the life of the spouse unless the spouse remarries before they reach age 55. There is an exception to this rule, however, if the spouse and employee were married for over 30 years. In that case, the spouse of the deceased employee will receive annuity payments regardless of whether they remarry or not.  Curious to Learn More About FERS Survivor Benefits? It is very difficult it is to lose a spouse. We understand that sorting out financial matters is probably the last thing you want to deal with when your spouse passes away. On top of that, the world of federal retirement survivor benefits is often difficult to navigate on your own. If your deceased spouse was a federal employee, we can help ensure that you obtain the benefits that they intended you to have.  Here at the Federal Employment Law Firm of Aaron D. Wersing, PLLC, we are dedicated to assisting with all kinds of federal employment matters. We care about all of our clients, and we are passionate about ensuring that they obtain the compensation they deserve. We have many years of experience successfully helping our clients—as our client reviews show. Together, we can work with you to help maximize your FERS survivor benefits.  Many people wrongly believe that hiring an attorney will cost them a small fortune. However, we don’t want money problems to prevent people from reaching out and consulting us. Don’t lose out on obtaining the federal retirement benefits you rightfully deserve. Contact us today.

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| Read Time: 2 minutes | Federal Retirement

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 you are in the army national guard or the reserves, you will have to follow a different medical retirement process.  OPM’s Medical Retirement Definition and Eligibility Requirements According to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), medical retirement (or disability retirement) is available for employees with disabling medical conditions who cannot work effectively for their agency. Federal medical retirement eligibility encompasses situations where employees are specifically entitled to avail of benefits from the federal government: An employee must also apply for Social Security disability benefits before applying for federal government medical retirement. Finally, they must apply for disability retirement within one year of separation.  Need Help with Planning Your Federal Medical Retirement? Medical retirement in the government is complicated. That’s true whether you follow OPM’s medical retirement process as a civil servant or the IDES process. On top of that, the federal government often makes mistakes. Even the smallest mistake regarding your medical condition could turn your medical disability retirement plans upside down.  For those reasons, if you are considering applying for medical retirement, your best choice is to contact a knowledgeable federal employment attorney.  At the Federal Employment Law Firm of Aaron D Wersing PLLC, we handle all kinds of federal employment cases. Over the years, our firm has helped many federal employees with medical retirement issues. We aim to help you access your rights as a federal employee. Contact us right away.

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| Read Time: 3 minutes | Workplace Discrimination

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 loved one are facing pregnancy discrimination in the workplace.  As dedicated federal employment attorneys, it is our honor and passion to educate workers on every aspect of their rights. Read on to learn more about pregnancy discrimination in the workplace. We’ll cover the definition of pregnancy and relate the laws that protect pregnant women. Then, we’ll unpack how you can fight pregnancy discrimination.    If you still have questions about pregnancy discrimination or wish to consult an attorney, contact us right away.  What Is Pregnancy Discrimination? According to the EEOC, pregnancy discrimination occurs when employers treat women unfavorably because of pregnancy or childbirth. Pregnancy discrimination may also happen because of a pregnancy-related physical or mental disability, such as postpartum depression. The prohibition against discrimination extends to every aspect of employment. So, it’s discrimination if an employee faces negative consequences like termination or demotion because she’s pregnant or given birth. It’s also illegal for an agency to alter a pregnant woman’s work schedule, transfer her, or exclude her from meetings.    What Laws Prohibit Pregnancy Discrimination? Several laws interface together to prohibit pregnancy-based discrimination and harassment. These include: Pregnancy rights recently took a great leap forward with the passage of the Federal Employee Paid Leave Act (FEPLA). FEPLA grants new mothers and fathers up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave. Collectively, these laws give substantial rights to employees. And employers must always respect those rights.   How to Respond to Pregnancy Discrimination  Facing pregnancy discrimination at work? It’s tough, but here’s a step-by-step on how to handle it: Finally, take care of yourself. Pregnancy discrimination takes a toll. It’s essential to seek support, whether through friends or family. Your well-being is crucial. Defend Your Rights by Contacting Us Today Nobody ever imagines themselves having to deal with pregnancy discrimination. Therefore, it can be confusing and difficult to respond to. However, you’re not alone. A qualified attorney can partner with you to defend your rights and hold bad actors accountable.  At the Federal Employment Law Firm of Aaron D. Wersing, PLLC, we specialize exclusively in federal employment law. That means we’ve seen all kinds of discrimination cases, including pregnancy discrimination. On top of that, we’re passionate about defending federal employees against illegal workplace discrimination. So, let’s work together to make federal workplaces free from pregnancy discrimination.  Call us today or contact us online to set up a free initial consultation.

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| Read Time: 3 minutes | Federal Employment Law

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 employees with disabilities. Either scenario can lead to unfair treatment, discrimination, demotion, and removal.    The best way to prevent these outcomes is to educate yourself about reasonable accommodation for federal employees. We’ve written this brief article to help you on that journey. We’ll touch on the legal definition of reasonable accommodation and provide several examples. What Is Considered a Reasonable Accommodation? “Reasonable accommodation” is central to federal employment and the broader employment landscape. The EEOC’s definition is any modification or adjustment to a job or the work environment that enables a qualified applicant or employee with a disability to participate in the application process or to perform essential job functions. Some basic tenets of reasonable accommodation include: In essence, reasonable accommodation ensures everyone, regardless of physical or mental limitations, has a fair shot at succeeding in the workplace. Reasonable Accommodation Examples    As mentioned before, reasonable accommodation is a workplace adjustment that helps employees with disabilities perform their jobs. Here are some examples to shed light on the concept: Finally, employers can consider transferring an employee to a similar position with duties that fit the employee’s limitations.  We Can Help You Obtain the Accommodation You Need Hopefully, you now have a general understanding of reasonable accommodation for federal employees and the underlying principles. That said, it can still be difficult and overwhelming to seek reasonable accommodation from your employer. Once you initiate a reasonable accommodation request, there are additional hurdles to overcome and dangers to avoid. Consequently, it’s prudent to enlist an attorney for assistance.    The Federal Employment Law Firm of Aaron D. Wersing, PLLC, focuses exclusively on representing public servants in federal employment cases. Thanks to decades of practice, we can help you obtain the results you need. In addition, we prioritize giving our clients outstanding customer service. We want you to feel like a person, not a number. Together, we can help you obtain the accommodation you need to succeed. Just reach out to us to set up a free initial consultation.

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| Read Time: 3 minutes | Workplace Harassment

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 equip you with the information you need to respond effectively. Read on to learn more about the definition of sexual harassment in the workplace. We’ll also cover how to respond to sexual harassment if you encounter it. For more information, contact the outstanding legal team at the Federal Employment Law Firm of Aaron D. Wersing, PLLC, today.    What Is Sexual Harassment in the Workplace? The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) broadly categorizes sexual harassment as a form of sexual discrimination that violates the Civil Rights Act of 1964. More specifically, sexual harassment involves situations where acceptance or rejection of certain sexual actions become a condition of employment, affect an individual’s workplace treatment, or lead to an unwelcome work environment. Examples of specific actions that can constitute sexual harassment include repeated unsolicited sexual overtures or demands, threats of sexual violence, and sexual gestures. What does this look like in reality? It might be continuous unsolicited sexual texts from a colleague or boss. Or it could be your superior promising you a promotion if you sleep with them. It could even be a partner at your office who keeps asking you to renew your romantic relationship despite your refusals. What Is Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment? “Quid pro quo” sexual harassment is a specific subset of sexual harassment that involves the transactional use of sex in the workplace.  “Quid pro quo” is a Latin phrase meaning “something given for something received.” Thus, quid pro quo sexual harassment is a promise of career benefits if a sexual advance is accepted. It can also be a threat to harm your career unless you accept a person’s sexual interest. Either way, it’s against the law and demands rapid response.   How to Report Sexual Harassment in the Workplace Whatever its form, sexual harassment is intolerable. This fact is especially true in the federal workplace, which has traditionally spearheaded advances in civil rights. Everyone deserves respect, safety, and the right to perform their duties without fear or discomfort. Reporting such incidents is not just a step towards justice. It’s also a crucial action to ensure workplaces remain respectful and productive.  That said, here’s how you can report sexual harassment in the workplace. Remember that federal law prohibits retaliation against employees who report sexual harassment or participate in an EEO investigation. If you face any retaliation, report it immediately. Defend Your Rights by Contacting Us Today Dealing with sexual harassment requires courage, grit, and patience. However, obtaining legal counsel is vital for protecting your career and rights. It also helps guarantee that your agency takes your allegations seriously. Our team at the Federal Employment Law Firm of Aaron D. Wersing, PLLC, maintains a deep understanding of federal employment laws. We also have a strident commitment to protecting employees’ rights. Together with our decades of legal experience, we stand by to help protect you against all forms of sexual harassment.   If you or someone you know is grappling with sexual harassment issues in the federal sector, contact us today. When you schedule an appointment, we can apply our experience, compassion, and dedication to your interests. Your well-being and justice matter to us. Contact us today. 

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| Read Time: 4 minutes | Federal Employment Law

Bullying In The Workplace Under Federal Law

If you have suffered bullying in the workplace, you might be able to receive relief under federal law if the bullying has certain characteristics. As a federal employee, you can maintain legal action for bullying if that bullying also qualifies as harassment under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, or the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. If you are unsure if bullying at work is actionable, don’t resign yourself to the stress and fear, contact an experienced workplace bullying lawyer immediately for help. Is Workplace Bullying Illegal? It depends. Federal law on workplace bullying are really laws against harassment. Employment bullying qualifies as illegal harassment if it’s a condition to continue your employment or it’s severe and pervasive enough for a reasonable person to consider it hostile. Bullying cannot be illegal harassment unless it’s unwelcome conduct motivated by one of the following factors: Your employer can be guilty of harassing you for being a member of a protected group mentioned above or for perceiving you to be a member of a protected group. Your employer can be liable for harassment committed by a supervisor, one of their agents, a co-worker, or a non-employee. You also don’t have to be the person harassed to maintain a legal action. If harassment of another person affects you, you could have a claim.  Can I Sue for Workplace Bullying? You may be wondering, can I sue for workplace bullying? Yes. Legal action against workplace bullying is available to you if the bullying fits the definition of harassment under federal law. However, federal employees can bring workplace bullying lawsuits only after they have followed the steps to make an administrative complaint with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) office.  What Is the Procedure for Filing Workplace Bullying Complaints and Workplace Bullying Lawsuits? There are many steps on the way to filing a lawsuit against your employer for harassment. Suing for workplace bullying can be a complicated process, and a lawyer for workplace bullying can help you fulfill every step. Filing a Workplace Bullying Complaint If you are a federal employee, bullying in the workplace law requires that you first reach out to an EEO counselor at your employer’s agency within 45 days of suffering harassment. You can either take part in counseling or alternative dispute resolution (ADR).  If ADR or counseling doesn’t solve the problem, you can file a formal complaint with your agency’s EEO office. You have 15 days after receiving an EEO counselor’s filing notice to file a complaint.  The agency can either dismiss your complaint for procedural reasons, or conduct an investigation. The agency has 180 days to investigate. After investigating, the agency gives you a notice about asking for a hearing or issuing a decision about whether there was discrimination.  If you want a hearing, it is held before an administrative law judge. You have 30 days from the agency’s hearing notice to file for a hearing. You can request a hearing in writing or online. After the judge makes a decision, the agency gets 40 days to decide if they are going to grant you relief that the judge orders. This decision is called a final order.  If you don’t agree with the final order, you can request an appeal within 30 days. You can also ask for reconsideration of the appeal decision within 30 days. If you follow the procedure correctly, you have many chances to get justice against harassment. An experienced attorney for workplace bullying can preserve your rights at every level of the process.  Filing a Workplace Bullying Lawsuit Once you have been through the administrative complaint and appeals process, you can file a bullying-at-work lawsuit. There are a number of different times when you can file a lawsuit, depending on the situation. To file a lawsuit against your employer for violating laws against workplace bullying, you have to follow these timelines: A workplace bullying attorney can determine if the time is right for you to file a lawsuit and champion your rights to a safe workplace in court. If you are curious about workplace anti-bullying laws by state, many of them are similar to the federal laws (though deadlines and procedures vary). But you must follow the federal procedures above if you are a federal employee.  Contact Our Federal Employment Attorneys for the Protection You Need Please remember that you don’t have to endure every hostile behavior at work to receive a paycheck. The workplace bullying lawyers at the Federal Employment Law Firm of Aaron D Wersing PLLC are experienced in federal employment law and dedicated to protecting federal employees’ rights. Contact us online or call us at 866-508-2158 for the guidance and protection you need.

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| Read Time: 3 minutes | MSPB

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. Even if you miss a deadline, there are situations in which you can nevertheless submit your MSPB appeal successfully. We will explore some of these situations in this article. However, it’s essential you phone a federal employment attorney immediately if you miss your appeal deadline. Having legal representation may make all the difference between a triumphant appeal and a ruined career. Understanding the MSPB Appeal Deadline Process Federal employees may know that the MSPB allows them only 30 calendar days to file an appeal. However, what most people don’t know is when that 30-day window begins. Under federal regulations, the 30-day period begins either on the effective date of the action or on the date of receipt of the agency’s decision. However, if the two conditions happen on different days, then the 30-day period begins on the day the last event happens.  Let’s use an example to illustrate this point. On June 1, Joe receives a decision letter notifying him that he will be removed from the federal government on June 5 for alleged insubordination. Because the effective date of Joe’s removal is June 5, he has until July 5 to submit his appeal. Conversely, if Joe was effectively removed on June 5 but did not receive the decision letter until June 8, he has until July 8 to file his appeal.  You should also remember a key point about holidays and weekends. If the 30th day of the appeal window falls on a weekend or federal holiday, then the window extends until the next working day. So if Joe’s 30-day window was scheduled to end on Wednesday, December 25, he would actually have until the following day to file his appeal.  Exceptions to the Thirty-Day Rule Even if you miss your filing deadline, there are three situations in which the MSPB will hear an untimely appeal. The first situation occurs when a statute or regulation allows the courts to waive the deadline. For instance, MSPB regulations state that the 30-day deadline will be automatically extended to 60 days if you and your agency agree in writing to resolve your dispute with an alternative dispute resolution process, such as mediation or negotiation.  The second situation applies when the agency fails to inform you of your appeal rights. This situation happens quite often because of clerical errors or oversights in the agency decision letters. Without being notified of your appeal rights, you have little or no information about how to contest their decision. Consequently, the law will excuse your delayed filing if you can show your agency did not inform you of your appeal rights. The third and most rare exception occurs when you rely on an erroneous statement by your agency, which causes you to miss the MSPB appeal deadline. For instance, let’s imagine that a postal service worker named Jane is told by her agency that she has 45 days to appeal her removal to the MSPB appeal. She filed her appeal 38 days later, at which point she learned that the real deadline for filing an MSPB appeal was 30 days after her removal. Although Jane’s appeal is technically untimely, her delay was really the result of her agency’s misinformation.  What Do I Do If I Miss a Filing Deadline? The first thing to do if you miss your deadline to file an MSPB appeal is to get legal help. A federal employment attorney can help you explore your options. In addition, they can help you successfully petition the MSPB to waive your deadline. Second, try to determine why you did not file the appeal. Was it because you misunderstood your appeal rights? Did your agency properly inform you of the relevant deadline? Or did someone give you misinformation that led you astray? Whatever the case may be, make sure you save any relevant documentary evidence.  Did You Miss a Filing Deadline? We’ll Do Our Best to Preserve Your Rights Our attorneys at The Federal Employment Law Firm of Aaron D. Wersing PLLC are passionate about defending your rights. That means doing everything we can to give you the opportunity to appeal disciplinary action. Over the years, we have helped countless employees file successful appeals past the applicable filing deadlines. When you consult with us, we’ll help develop a strategy to try to save your case. Along the way, we will work to provide you with outstanding customer service. Contact us today so we can work together to set your MSPB appeal back on track.

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