Court Cases
26 Years of Federal Service + Disrespectful Conduct = Removal
A firefighter at a Naval Air Station had 26 years of federal service. He had a big problem with duty assignments and complained at length in a "loud…
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
Atmosphere Like a Popular Sitcom But Case Dismissed by Court
For a harassment claim to succeed, among other things the plaintiff has to show that her employer knew (or should have known) about the harassment and did nothing…
Federal Workforce News
Getting a Handle on Attendance Problems: 10 Steps Every Federal Supervisor Can Take
Most human resource problems experienced by supervisors relate to attendance. Discipline is taken for misconduct involving attendance than all other causes put together. Federal employee attitudes about leave…
Federal Workforce News
Veterans’ Preference, Merit Promotion and Federal Jobs: What Does the Law Require?
An employee of the Merit Systems Protection Board applied for a job at another agency. He was entitled to veterans' preference but he was not selected for the…
Court Cases
First Offense: Lying, Disgraceful Conduct and Making False Statements
An Army EEO manager was erroneously issued a travel check and told not to cash it. But she cashed it and told the agency she had not received…
Federal Workforce News
Does Federal Employment Equate to Military Service?
A fired Postal Service worker claimed discrimination based on her military service. But, as the Administrative Judge pointed out, she had not been in the military. The fired…
Federal Workforce News
What Every Federal Manager Needs to Know Before Deciding What Action to Take for Employee Misconduct
Federal law addresses the removal of a career civil service employee for treason and for unacceptable performance in detail. Discipline for other reasons isn't so clearly spelled out.…
Federal Workforce News
Does MSPB Order Supersede Union Agreement?
Does an order of the Merit Systems Protection Board supersede a collective bargaining agreement? A Postal Service employee, who had been demoted and suspended, contended the agency had…
Human Resources
“So, Mr. Einstein, what do you plan to come up with next year?”
Performance appraisals are becoming more important to federal employees as pay for performance plans expand. What appraisal techniques work and which ones do not? Absurd performance standards can…
Federal Workforce News
“Chain of Command” and Federal Whistleblowers
An email that went from a Navy employee to the human resources office alleged incidents of abuse by the employee's supervisors. The email violated the written instructions the…