Full-Time Telework as a Reasonable Accommodation: What Federal Employees Need to Know in 2026
Federal agencies are rapidly scaling back remote work. But one thing has not changed: Federal employees with disabilities may still be entitled to full-time telework as a reasonable accommodation. The problem? Many agencies are now: At Levine Federal Law, we are seeing a sharp increase in cases involving: 👉 Learn more about reasonable accommodations:https://levinefedlaw.com/reasonable-accommodations/ The […]
Are Federal Employees Losing Their MSPB Appeal Rights? What the 2026 OPM Proposals Mean for Your Job
Federal employees have long relied on the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) as an independent safeguard against wrongful discipline and removal. That may be changing. In 2026, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has proposed sweeping changes that could significantly reduce — or eliminate — MSPB appeal rights for certain categories of federal employees. If […]
Federal Employee Discipline: When an Agency Can Remove You — and How to Challenge It Before the MSPB
Federal employees facing discipline or removal from federal service have legal rights that are very different from those of private‑sector workers. When a federal agency proposes discipline, it must follow strict legal protections established under federal civil service law. Those protections include due process rights, penalty review standards, and appeal rights before the Merit Systems […]
Federal Employees in Oklahoma: Your Rights When Facing Discipline, Removal, or Discrimination
Thousands of civilian federal employees work in Oklahoma across major installations and federal facilities. These employees play critical roles supporting national defense, aviation safety, veterans’ care, and federal programs. When disciplinary actions or workplace disputes arise, federal employees have legal rights that are very different from those of private-sector workers. Understanding those rights is essential […]
Due Process Violations in Federal Employee Removal Cases (MSPB Guide)
Federal employees facing removal are entitled to constitutional and statutory due process protections. When agencies violate those protections, the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) may reverse the removal entirely — even when misconduct is alleged. Unfortunately, due process violations are far more common than most federal employees realize. This guide explains:• What due process means […]
What Is the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB)? Guide for Federal Employees (2026)
What Is the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB)? The Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) is an independent federal agency that hears appeals from federal employees challenging serious personnel actions such as removals, suspensions, demotions, suitability determinations, and other adverse actions. The MSPB operates as a neutral, court-like body to ensure federal agencies comply with civil […]
New EEOC Telework Guidance: What Federal Employees Need to Know About Disability Accommodations and Return-to-Office Policies
By Gary L. Levine, Levine Federal Law Introduction The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently issued new guidance addressing when telework must be provided as a reasonable accommodation for federal employees with disabilities. You can read the guidance here:https://www.eeoc.gov/FAQ-federal-sector-telework-accommodations-disabilities This guidance comes at a critical time. Federal agencies are increasingly requiring employees to return to […]
Full-Time Telework as a Reasonable Accommodation — What Federal Employees Need to Know
Federal telework policy is in flux — and that has serious implications for federal employees seeking telework as a reasonable accommodation under disability law. While agencies are pushing return-to-office policies, disability law still requires individualized accommodation decisions. Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodations to qualified employees with disabilities unless […]
How to Respond to a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) — A Federal Employee Survival Guide
A Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) can feel like a warning shot — and in many cases, it is. Federal agencies rarely issue PIPs as casual feedback; they are often a precursor to discipline, proposed removal, proposed demotion or forced retirement. Our experience is that many PIPs are poorly written, vague, and inconsistently supported. Supervisors frequently […]
How Removal from Federal Service Impacts Your Retirement — And How to Protect Your MSPB Rights
1. Removal Does Not Forfeit Vested FERS or CSRS Benefits Once you are vested in FERS or CSRS (generally after 5 years of creditable civilian service), your earned retirement benefits remain yours even if you are removed for performance or misconduct. You retain your service credit, pension contributions, and your TSP balance. Only narrow national-security-related […]