Human Resources
Decades and the Douglas Factors
For three decades, federal HR has been working with the 12 "factors" from an MSPB decision. However, much has changed since then.
MSPB
Stay informed on news and decisions from the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), including federal employee appeals, adverse actions, disciplinary cases, and key rulings that shape federal employment law. Explore analysis of MSPB precedents, agency operations, back‑pay decisions, whistleblower protections, and policy changes affecting employee rights and due‑process procedures. Find clear explanations and timely updates to help federal employees, supervisors, and HR professionals understand how MSPB actions influence workplace rules and federal workforce accountability.
Court Cases
Mitigation or Demotion for this Postal Supervisor?
A post office Supervisor who was demoted to Clerk based on unsatisfactory performance failed to convince the appeals court to mitigate the penalty to a suspension.
Court Cases
Electing a Survivor Annuity: Follow Legal Requirements or Lose the Benefit
A surviving widow of a retired federal employee tried without success to convince OPM, the MSPB and the appeals court that her deceased husband had provided her a…
Court Cases
The MSPB: Administrative Justice for Federal and Postal Workers Denied Disability Retirement Benefits
The important question for the federal employee who files for Federal Disability Retirement benefits under FERS or CSRS is: What happens if the Office of Personnel Management denies…
Human Resources
A Merit Badge for the MSPB
An MSPB report explains how the GS pay system was designed as a type of pay-for-performance system.
Court Cases
The Federal Case That Won’t Die
How long can it take for a removal action against a federal employee to run its course? Here is an example of how a federal employee who was…
Human Resources
MSPB Study Strongly Recommends Employee Engagement
The MSPB issued a study urging agencies to involve employees early and often in decisions involving their work.
Court Cases
Threat To Kill Supervisor Leads to Firing of Whistleblowing Controller
An air traffic controller became angry in a meeting and threatened to kill one of his supervisors with whom he had a history of conflict. The MSPB upheld…
Human Resources
MSPB Endorses Alternative Discipline, Encourages Training for Managers and Practitioners
MSPB's Chairman McPhie says "Alternative discipline is a great tool for supervisors to consider if they have an employee who is engaging in misconduct".
Human Resources
Deciding an Adverse Action: The Process and the Proposal
Deciding whether to take an adverse action is one of the more difficult tasks a Federal manager may perform.