Lawmakers push IRS to better support whistleblower protections
Federal Employment and Labor Law Blog
by On Behalf of The Devadoss Law Firm, P.L.L.C.
4d ago
Each federal agency is required to have procedures in place to better ensure federal employees do not suffer from retaliation for reporting wrongful activity. Many agencies also have whistleblower protection programs in place. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is one such agency, however its whistleblower protection program is relatively new and continues to evolve to better protect workers. Are whistleblowers protected at the IRS? In theory, yes. Protections against retaliation are available for federal employees at the IRS who report wrongful activity. In reality, the process is complicated ..read more
Visit website
Recent agency memo a reminder to fight for whistleblower protections
Federal Employment and Labor Law Blog
by On Behalf of The Devadoss Law Firm, P.L.L.C.
1w ago
A recent memo from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) got media attention recently when it appeared to violate federal whistleblower protections. The name of the memo is enough to give reason for concern: The Prohibited Disclosure of Unclassified, Sensitive Information Without Proper Authorization memo. It states that ATF employees could face penalties including discipline, termination from employment, and even criminal charges for disclosing agency information. Although there are instances when agency information should remain private, federal workers also have the ..read more
Visit website
Are protections for federal workers at risk? Two lessons from recent case.
Federal Employment and Labor Law Blog
by On Behalf of The Devadoss Law Firm, P.L.L.C.
1w ago
Protections are in place to help better ensure superiors judge the work of federal employees based on performance. Schedule F, created by President Trump, put these protections at risk. As discussed in previous posts, this executive order established a new classification system for tens of thousands of federal employees. It was set to move these workers from exempt to non-exempt — meaning transferred workers would suffer a loss of these protections and the ability to appeal disciplinary actions through the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). Although rescinded by President Biden, the execut ..read more
Visit website
Immigration judges and recent gag order: Does it run afoul of whistleblower laws?
Federal Employment and Labor Law Blog
by On Behalf of The Devadoss Law Firm, P.L.L.C.
2w ago
Federal employees are the eyes and ears on the ground, often the first to recognize illegal, wasteful, or fraudulent activities. Providing this group of workers with whistleblower protections is important because it encourages federal workers to report misconduct without fear of reprisal. This works to better ensure federal agencies fulfill their role while also helping to maintain public trust in governmental institutions — and the system often works. Federal employees have utilized whistleblower laws to bring to light various issues, resulting in corrective actions and reforms. For instance ..read more
Visit website
OPM makes changes to the Pathways Program
Federal Employment and Labor Law Blog
by On Behalf of The Devadoss Law Firm, P.L.L.C.
2w ago
The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has rolled out a final rule updating the Pathways Programs, which are designed to enhance opportunities for early-career individuals to enter the federal government. This update represents a significant reform for the 14-year-old program. The new rule introduces skill-based hiring for various career programs, higher starting salaries for recent graduates, and an easier transition for interns to secure permanent federal positions. The OPM made these changes to increase the hiring of interns, fellows, apprentices, recent students and trainees, thus b ..read more
Visit website
What does illegal retaliation look like in the federal workplace?
Federal Employment and Labor Law Blog
by On Behalf of The Devadoss Law Firm, P.L.L.C.
2w ago
Workplace retaliation is illegal. Everyone knows that. At the same time, most people understand that retaliation remains a pervasive problem throughout the federal workspace. So, how can this be? The truth is that agencies, employers and managers often retaliate against workers who complain about discrimination or blow the whistle on worrisome practices. When these managers and decision makers are already engaged in illegal behaviors, they may view retaliation as a means to silence their workers. Indeed, the Department of Labor (DOL) notes that the fear of retaliation often has a chilling effe ..read more
Visit website
How hard is it for federal employees to prove wrongful termination?
Federal Employment and Labor Law Blog
by On Behalf of The Devadoss Law Firm, P.L.L.C.
3w ago
Some federal employees are political appointees, subject to the political whims of those who appointed them. However, most federal employees do not work at the political whims of others. They work for the United States public, and the law says that agencies must evaluate and treat these workers according to their merits. As the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) notes, the government’s merit-based principles aim to create a competent and productive workforce that serves the public interest. This means rewarding workers who do well, but it also means offering agencies the means to correct poo ..read more
Visit website
Federal workers, political discourse on war and the Hatch Act
Federal Employment and Labor Law Blog
by On Behalf of The Devadoss Law Firm, P.L.L.C.
3M ago
Political conversation in the workplace can create a minefield for federal employees. With the Hatch Act's restrictions on political activity, federal workers must understand on-the-job boundaries of lawful political discourse. This issue has arisen in light of the understandable desire to discuss recent, deadly global conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas wars. Understanding the Hatch Act The federal Hatch Act attempts to create a neutral, nonpolitical federal workforce. The law covers most employees in the executive branch as well as some in civil service jobs. The Act attemp ..read more
Visit website
What is the most common complaint brought to the EEOC?
Federal Employment and Labor Law Blog
by On Behalf of The Devadoss Law Firm, P.L.L.C.
4M ago
The United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has existed for decades to help enforce federal employment laws. The organization investigates claims that companies discriminated against workers based on protected characteristics including race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, genetic information and disability. EEOC laws apply to most companies with 15 employees or more, although the threshold increases to 20 employees or more for age discrimination concerns. Those who believe that their company discriminated against them when hiring them, choosing who to fire, se ..read more
Visit website
Sexual harassment: House oversight panel subpoenas VA records
Federal Employment and Labor Law Blog
by On Behalf of The Devadoss Law Firm, P.L.L.C.
4M ago
On Jan. 11, 2024, members of the U.S. House Veterans Affairs Committee voted to subpoena records from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that could shed light on the committee’s investigation of shocking allegations of sexual harassment at the highest levels of the agency. All but one representative on the panel voted yes, an overwhelmingly bipartisan statement that these members take their oversight responsibilities seriously. Allegations of harassment at ORMDI According to Government Executive, the subpoena will allow the committee to gather documents relevant to sexual harassment ..read more
Visit website

Follow Federal Employment and Labor Law Blog on FeedSpot

Continue with Google
Continue with Apple
OR