MSPB
Federal employee appeals board is fully functional again — for now
The removal of Cathy Harris, a Democratic member of the Merit Systems Protection Board, has been both blocked and upheld in court since President Donald Trump tried to fire her in February. The case will likely now go to the Supreme Court.
Breaking News
Court allows Trump to fire appeals board member, which could ‘trap in legal limbo’ feds fighting terminations and RIFs
Appeals court has paused a lower court ruling blocking the firing one-third of MSPB's central board, creating a crisis for the agency.
Trump appeals rulings that blocked his firings of Democrats on independent federal boards
The Trump administration argued that current law limiting the reasons for the president to remove members of independent government boards is unconstitutional.
MSPB orders temporary reinstatement of nearly 6,000 probationary workers at USDA
These Agriculture Department employees must be allowed back to their jobs for 45 days, as the Office of Special Counsel continues to investigate the Trump administration’s purge of recently hired, promoted or transferred federal employees.
House Dems: Immediately reinstate fired feds
A group of 85 lawmakers called on the Office of Special Counsel to broaden its recommendation earlier this week to stay the firing of six employees on probationary periods to all probationary workers purged in recent days.
Labor board member retires, leaving a razor-thin quorum
The Merit Systems Protection Board said in a statement that board member Raymond Limon was stepping down on Friday. His retirement leaves the agency with a two-seat quorum despite an ongoing legal battle with the Trump administration.
Board agrees to pause firings for some feds, potentially upending Trump's widespread terminations
The employees must be reinstated to their roles pending further investigation, appeals board rules.
Exclusive
Oversight agency finds Trump’s federal worker firings unlawful, asks for some employees to be reinstated
The findings could have sweeping impacts for the tens of thousands of recently dismissed workers.
Thousands join class actions as fired feds weigh options to challenge Trump's moves
Former federal probationary employees are hopeful they can prove their dismissals were not actually performance based, as their agencies claim.
Judge temporarily blocks Trump from firing Democratic member of federal employee appeals board
Trump has tried to remove Democratic officials in positions that safeguard civil service protections.
Breaking News
Trump fires one-third of federal employee appeals board
The Democratic member was three years into a seven-year term on the three-member panel.
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Federal employee appeals board has nearly eliminated the backlog built up during its five years without power
Agency workers who appealed adverse actions against them finally have resolution after waiting for years for a decision.
MSPB to update rules to make operations smoother without a quorum
An interim final rule slated for publication next week updates the Merit Systems Protection Board’s procedures to allow the agency to take more actions without a full slate of political appointees.
Federal whistleblowers are entitled to damages for missed future pay, court rules
Employees can receive compensatory payments if their firings caused harm that prevented future earnings.
Court rules for DHS employees alleging their division was disbanded in retaliation to their whistleblowing
The decision sets a new precedent for federal employees that denied promotions -- even if never fully promised -- can amount to retaliation.
Federal appeals board could soon reshape what it means to be a whistleblower
MSPB has asked outside parties to weigh in on a case for the first time in nearly a decade.
Updated
Supreme Court rules in favor of federal employee in furlough case
Feds may have more leeway on timing when appealing their employment cases to federal courts.
Watchdog agency to crack down on Hatch Act violators, including at the White House
An "escape hatch" for those improperly engaging in political activity will now close, Office of Special Counsel says.
MSPB political firing case raises new questions on Schedule F
The Housing and Urban Development Department’s 2017 firing of a probationary employee over alleged leaks was politically motivated, the agency tasked with enforcing civil service laws said last week.
D.C. lawmaker wants to restore due process to feds in ‘sensitive’ posts
A new bill would overrule a 2013 federal appellate court decision that denied roughly 200,000 federal employees access to the Merit Systems Protection Board.
