“Substantial Evidence” Upholds Removal for Positive Results on Random Drug Test
A federal employee who was fired as a result of a positive drug test stays fired upo9n appeal despite the employee paying for a subsequent polygraph and drug tests.
Deposits and Redeposits of Retirement Money for FERS Employees
Deposits and redeposits of retirement funds for civilian service is simpler (and harsher) for FERS employees than for CSRS employees. Here is how it works.
$16 Million Is Not a Low Number
Comments sent in by readers on proposed changes to interfund transfers within the TSP were unusually harsh. Similar comments may have been sent in directly to the TSP board as well. A new Federal Register notice finalizes a final rule limiting TSP trading activity. The official notice is blunt in addressing the comments opposing the changes. Here is the outcome but watch for future changes as well.
Using Taxpayer Records for Personal Reasons Leads to Removal
An agency has a core mission. An employee’s action in one agency may be a relatively minor problem; in another agency it may be a firing offense. The Internal Revenue Service has strict rules about accessing taxpayer records–presumably because taxpayer records are related to its core mission. When this IRS employee accessed these records for personal reasons, she was fired despite her contention a medical condition was the basis for the problem.
Organizing a Disciplinary or Adverse Action Case
Organizing and structuring discipline and adverse action cases effectively is valuable for many reasons. First and foremost, good organization will help develop the basis for an action and whether or not the Agency should go forward. This article is about the nuts and bolts of putting a case together.
Waste, Fraud, Abuse and Government Charge Cards
The recent publicity about charge card abuse by federal employees outlined in a GAO report has been reported in news media all over the country. The Office of Management and Budget has new guidance for federal agencies telling them steps they must take to get a handle on the problem.
Riding Out A Volatile Stock Market
Riding through the ups and downs of the stock market can be exasperating. Is this a good time buy more of the TSP stock funds or a good time to sell them?
House to Federal Employees: Write in “Plain Language”
Here is an issue with bipartisan support from our Congressional representatives. Congress apparently thinks that federal employees do not write well and intends to correct the problem. A bill has passed the House requiring agencies to use “plain language.” Haven’t we seen this before?
CSRS Employees and Redepositing Retirement Funds
When deciding whether or not to re-deposit money, the most important thing to consider is when did the service for which you received a refund end? If it ended before 10/01/90, breathe a sigh of relief. If it ended 10/01/90 or after, pay it.
Charge Card Abuse? Who Cares?
The issue of credit card abuse in government surfaces on a regular basis. Little seems to change. A new GAO report highlights a problem with purchase cards. The reaction of many in the government community is likely to be “Thanks for the report. We don’t really care.”
