Health Insurance Specialist CMS Fri May 23, 2008 8:17 AM
I find it ironic that you publish an article regarding a Hatch Act violation, and then try to entice federal employees for a chance to win $50,000 by voting whether or not Obama and Clinton will team up. Whose side are you on, FedSmith?
hatch act
underpaid peon da Fri May 23, 2008 8:54 AM
it's funny because i saw someone get in trouble here for forwarding an email praising one of the candidates for the democratic party's nomination.
however, in the same week, someone in the exact same department forwarded to everyone an email praising the presumptive republican candidate and nothing...and i mean ABSOLUTELY NOTHING was done about it.
interesting double-standard application of the hatch act. i wonder if it's the same elsewhere.
Hatch Act
HR Manager (Retired) Department of the Air Force Fri May 23, 2008 9:14 AM
Unbelievable! This employee was either totally unaware of Hatch Act provisions or does not care. If it is the former, NASA has a real problem but one it can easily correct by reminding employees of this Act’s requirements. If it is the latter, NASA still has a real problem as it has an employee who blatantly violates the rules. If this is the case, the 180 suspension seems reasonable. Why employees misuse their government computers and e-mail accounts has always been a mystery to me especially when most agencies, I assume NASA also does this, go to great lengths to explain their proper use and the fact that their use is monitored.
Hatch Act
Electronic Technician Federal Bureau of Prisons Fri May 23, 2008 9:30 AM
Thank you for writing about this and for the articles in the past. I am a Secretary of my Local Union and very active in the Democratic Party, every year I warn my members to be care full and follow the Hatch Act. I send these articles out so people know what can happen.
Re: Hatch Act
Health Insurance Specialist CMS Fri May 23, 2008 2:44 PM
You need to talk to the union rep in Kansas City.
The Hatch Act and the Federal Employee
Adjudication Officer DHS Fri May 23, 2008 11:10 AM
One would think that a Federal Employee would understand the limitations, terms and conditions of the Hatch Act. Even new federal employees are given orientation on it when they enter service.
This Act is pretty plain and straight forward. I know of one person who told me he resented it because it restricted his "freedom to participate fully in the democratic process." My reply to him was "go find employment in the private sector."
My advice for those political zealots who cannot stand to be on the sidelines in the political process is to find themselves employment or a situation which permits them to freely engage in all aspects of it. The Act does allow for limited participation and if they are not satisfied with that, they need to reconsider their career in the federal service.
It appears that the individual with the 180 day suspension will have time to think about it!
Posting Comments Here on Fedsmith.com?
A Federal Worker A Federal Agency Fri May 23, 2008 12:04 PM
Just to clarify: I'm writing this comment at home during my off-duty time from my own computer on my private ISP.
However, like many of my co-workers at my job, I get a daily subscription to FedSmith.com. One day, I read the article about the survey: Obama vs. McCain.
If someone were to put my vote in from work -- because being at work and using a government computer, would this activity be a violation of the Hatch act?
Later, if someone were to submit some comments on the same forum at FedSmith.com: Would this also be violating the Hatch act?
If there is any chance that this sort of activity would violate the Hatch act: A caution or warning should be placed somewhere so that someone, in the heat of passion, doesn't end up ruining their Federal career.
Hatch Act
Ms. Retired Dept of Defense Fri May 23, 2008 12:28 PM
I'm guessing here, most prosecutions were for Democrats. During the 2004 election the Army Civilian newspaper (CPOL) had an article on the Hatch Act with a link to the Washington Times website. On that link there was a blinking, red, advertisement - "Dump Daschle", the Democratic Senator for South Dakota. The violations of nearly every law by the current Party Boss is staggering.
Curiosity Question
administrative assistant opm Mon Jun 9, 2008 12:17 PM
So, I wonder if our elected officials are in violation of the Hatch Act everytime they do fundraising and are campaigning either for themselves or for others? Since they are federal employees does the Hatch Act apply to them? And, when they are involved in political activities are they getting paid their salary or are they LWOP?
Hatch Act Violation
CMS
Fri May 23, 2008 8:17 AM
I find it ironic that you publish an article regarding a Hatch Act violation, and then try to entice federal employees for a chance to win $50,000 by voting whether or not Obama and Clinton will team up. Whose side are you on, FedSmith?
hatch act
da
Fri May 23, 2008 8:54 AM
it's funny because i saw someone get in trouble here for forwarding an email praising one of the candidates for the democratic party's nomination.
however, in the same week, someone in the exact same department forwarded to everyone an email praising the presumptive republican candidate and nothing...and i mean ABSOLUTELY NOTHING was done about it.
interesting double-standard application of the hatch act. i wonder if it's the same elsewhere.
Hatch Act
Department of the Air Force
Fri May 23, 2008 9:14 AM
Unbelievable! This employee was either totally unaware of Hatch Act provisions or does not care. If it is the former, NASA has a real problem but one it can easily correct by reminding employees of this Act’s requirements. If it is the latter, NASA still has a real problem as it has an employee who blatantly violates the rules. If this is the case, the 180 suspension seems reasonable. Why employees misuse their government computers and e-mail accounts has always been a mystery to me especially when most agencies, I assume NASA also does this, go to great lengths to explain their proper use and the fact that their use is monitored.
Hatch Act
Federal Bureau of Prisons
Fri May 23, 2008 9:30 AM
Thank you for writing about this and for the articles in the past. I am a Secretary of my Local Union and very active in the Democratic Party, every year I warn my members to be care full and follow the Hatch Act. I send these articles out so people know what can happen.
Re: Hatch Act
CMS
Fri May 23, 2008 2:44 PM
The Hatch Act and the Federal Employee
DHS
Fri May 23, 2008 11:10 AM
One would think that a Federal Employee would understand the limitations, terms and conditions of the Hatch Act. Even new federal employees are given orientation on it when they enter service.
This Act is pretty plain and straight forward. I know of one person who told me he resented it because it restricted his "freedom to participate fully in the democratic process." My reply to him was "go find employment in the private sector."
My advice for those political zealots who cannot stand to be on the sidelines in the political process is to find themselves employment or a situation which permits them to freely engage in all aspects of it. The Act does allow for limited participation and if they are not satisfied with that, they need to reconsider their career in the federal service.
It appears that the individual with the 180 day suspension will have time to think about it!
Posting Comments Here on Fedsmith.com?
A Federal Agency
Fri May 23, 2008 12:04 PM
Just to clarify: I'm writing this comment at home during my off-duty time from my own computer on my private ISP.
However, like many of my co-workers at my job, I get a daily subscription to FedSmith.com. One day, I read the article about the survey: Obama vs. McCain.
If someone were to put my vote in from work -- because being at work and using a government computer, would this activity be a violation of the Hatch act?
Later, if someone were to submit some comments on the same forum at FedSmith.com: Would this also be violating the Hatch act?
If there is any chance that this sort of activity would violate the Hatch act: A caution or warning should be placed somewhere so that someone, in the heat of passion, doesn't end up ruining their Federal career.
Hatch Act
Retired Dept of Defense
Fri May 23, 2008 12:28 PM
I'm guessing here, most prosecutions were for Democrats. During the 2004 election the Army Civilian newspaper (CPOL) had an article on the Hatch Act with a link to the Washington Times website. On that link there was a blinking, red, advertisement - "Dump Daschle", the Democratic Senator for South Dakota. The violations of nearly every law by the current Party Boss is staggering.
Curiosity Question
opm
Mon Jun 9, 2008 12:17 PM
So, I wonder if our elected officials are in violation of the Hatch Act everytime they do fundraising and are campaigning either for themselves or for others? Since they are federal employees does the Hatch Act apply to them? And, when they are involved in political activities are they getting paid their salary or are they LWOP?