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.
A Bureau of Prisons senior officer specialist was deployed to Iraq after his Marine Corps unit was activated. He was court-martialed for dereliction of duty and assault as a result of his interaction with Iraqi prisoners. After he returned to work, the agency removed him and the case went to court.
The Board continues to be divided on the issue of government travel cards and disciplinary action. In a case involving allegations of misuse of a government travel, a majority concludes (with three written opinions) that some of the charges were not justified but that a suspension of the employee is appropriate.
A federal employee who owed more than $50,000 was fired by the Army. One Board member did not think this was a serious problem under the circumstances and would give him another chance. Unfortunately for the employee, the other two members did not see the case in the same way.
Reference checking in federal agencies is often neglected, misunderstood or both. In this article, the author says that reference checks are worth your time and trouble to avoid hiring an employee you subsequently regret hiring.
Third parties sometimes follow a new trend without specifically stating they are doing so. In several recent decisions, the Board seems to be giving agency deciding officials the benefit of the doubt when reviewing agency actions. Here is a quick summary.
How much leeway does a federal employee have in publicly disagreeing with agency policy decisions?
On remand, the MSPB reconsiders its decision in an earlier decision and concludes that the removal of a GS-8 police officer was justified for refusing to carry out assigned duties.
Can sending an e-mail message to your friends and colleagues get a federal employee in trouble? Think before hitting the “send” button–the e-mail may come back to haunt you as these federal employees have found.
A federal agency put an employee on leave without pay for 60 days and extended his probationary period. When he was fired, he argued proper procedures were not used as he was no longer a probationary employee.
The MSPB overturns the finding of an administrative judge and upholds the removal of a federal manager for misconduct toward a female employee.
