Court Cases
A Hole in the Zero Tolerance Policy
In a Postal Service case, the court finds an agency may establish a zero tolerance policy leading to automatic removal. In this removal case, an employee fired for…
Labor Relations
Stay informed on the latest developments in federal labor relations, including updates on collective bargaining, union negotiations, FLRA decisions, labor‑management disputes, and federal workforce policies that shape the rights and responsibilities of federal employees. Find news and analysis on AFGE, NTEU and other federal unions, bargaining agreements, workplace rules, and major actions affecting labor relations across federal agencies. Find clear insights into how evolving labor policies impact the federal workforce and agency operations.
Court Cases
Don’t Mess With the Dates on Tax Documents
Date stamps on documents are important to the Internal Revenue Service which often works with deadlines that may be applicable. This employee was fired after allegedly altering the…
Federal Workforce News
Bill to Move TSA into the Civil Service Mainstream: Interesting and (Maybe) Unintended Consequences
While Bills are a dime a dozen and not usually worthy of mention, H.R. 1881 seeks to bring the Transportation Security Workforce into the Federal Civil Service en…
Court Cases
Divorce is a State of Mind–But What About the Federal Health Insurance?
A federal employee said she was divorced but kept her ex-husband and his two children on her federal health insurance policy. An investigator found that a divorce decree…
Federal Workforce News
Is the FLRA Ready for a More Active Labor Relations Program? The Past was Dim and the Present Prospects Are Not Much Better
FLRA Member Thomas Beck addressed the Defense Labor and Employee Relations Seminar last week in Atlanta. His status report on the Agency outlined hard times both past and…
Court Cases
“Conscious ignorance” Does Not Protect IRS Employee From Removal
The Internal Revenue Service typically comes down hard on any of its employees who play fast and loose with their federal income tax returns. Usually this is a…
Court Cases
Hatch Act Applies Even If Person Hired After Declaring Candidacy
A candidate for partisan elected position was hired for a federal job after he had declared himself as a candidate. He was fired from the Department of Labor…
Human Resources
Advice for Managers about Weingarten Meetings: Some Options to Consider (Part Two)
In the second of two part article, the author suggests some alternatives to holding investigative interviews under the Federal labor statute. He suggests that the U.S. Supreme Court…
Human Resources
Advice for Managers about Weingarten Meetings: Generally Let the Pros Handle ‘Em or Try an Alternate Method
In this two part article, the author reviews investigative interviews under the Federal labor statute; offers advice on conducting such a meeting (including a checklist); and suggests what…
Court Cases
How Much AWOL Is Enough to Justify Removal of a Federal Employee?
How many hours of being away from with with an unapproved absence is sufficient to justify firing a federal employee? Apparently 101 hours in three weeks is enough…