Two Years Does Not Mean Three-and-a-Half Years
In yet another situation where a retired federal employee missed the deadline for electing a survivor annuity for his new wife, she ends up with nothing.
Court Cases
Read summaries of court cases and decisions that impact federal employees and retirees.
Full Appeals Court Clears Way For Expansion of MSPB Review In Suitability Cases
A few months ago, the appeals court upheld a significant expansion by the MSPB of its jurisdiction over suitability appeals. OPM fought this expansion by requesting that the full Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit re-hear the case “en banc.” The appeals court has now responded in what is a victory for the Board and a disappointment for OPM.
Controlling Overtime Budgets Just Got Harder for Agencies
Federal agencies just got new marching orders from the appeals court on the standards to be applied for when overtime must be paid.
Reemployed Annuitant Became ‘At Will’ Employee
A federal employee retired after a reduction-in-force, was reemployed, but finds out the hard way that keeping the annuity flowing means losing civil service protections.
Gun Purchase Leads to Fed’s Termination
This former Forest Service employee ran into trouble when he purchased a firearm for a third party and was not entirely up front in filling out the required ATF form.
Witness Preparation: The Key to Success
The author says that witness preparation is a very important step in the preparation process for a successful hearing. He recounts some of his own personal experiences to illustrate why he believes this to be so.
Member Pizzella Says “Enough is Enough” to Abusive Union Reps in FLRA Dissent
This FLRA appears ideologically mandated to excuse virtually any union bad behavior. As a result of the FLRA’s failure to hold unions accountable for it, the misbehavior happens frequently
May 100% Official Time for Union Officials be a Per Se Statutory Violation?
Most federal sector union locals operate on a no cost to them basis. The author asks if it is time for agencies to look at what employees on 100% official time are doing with that time.
Winning Has Consequences
An employee flush with victory when the Board ordered her reinstatement perhaps got too bullish in dealing with the agency as it tried to work out her back pay. See how this one unfolded and what the court did with it.
Snatching Defeat From the Jaws of Victory
Here’s a strange case where the Air Force and now the district court have refused to let an Air Force ROTC cadet booted out of the program have his cake and eat it too.
