Author Archives: AdminUN

About AdminUN

FEDSMILL staff has over 40 years of federal sector labor relations experience on the union as well as management side of the table and even some time as a neutral.

IT IS NOW TOUGHER TO DENY A REQUEST FOR RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION Imagine this happens to you. You represent employees at an agency that operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, like the folks at Customs and Border Protection.  … Continue reading

Posted in Religion | Tagged | 2 Comments

FMLA BASICS – SELF-LED TRAINING CHECKLIST Although there are some slight differences between federal and private sector FMLA rights and procedures, one need not worry about them when trying to get a basic understanding of employee rights.  Consequently, we recommend … Continue reading

Posted in FMLA | Tagged | Leave a comment

CAN RUMORS CREATE A HOSTILE WORK ENVIRONMENT? Yup, or at least that’s what the Third Circuit Federal Court of Appeals thinks. “So and so is gay,” “Did you hear she is cheating on her husband,“ “I understand he is the … Continue reading

Posted in Co-worker Harassment | Tagged | Leave a comment

PRE-RIF CHECKLIST Thought we would pass along a helpful post from Fedweek. With so many employees facing a RIF, think about passing along this story to your members.  The bump and retreat tips are particularly helpful. Click here for the … Continue reading

Posted in RIF | Tagged | Leave a comment

NOW THIS IS INTERESTING Mandatory referral to EAP may be “adverse action,” court says.  That is the headline of the latest blog from the folks at Constangy, Brooks, Smith and Prophete, LLP.  I am not sure why any fed would … Continue reading

Posted in EEO/Discrimination | Tagged | Leave a comment

SATANIC POSTERS IN THE WORKPLACE   In his latest effort to drive wedges between employees Trump has announced that he is urging federal employees to pray, preach, and proselytize in the workplace on behalf of their religious beliefs.  After all, if … Continue reading

Posted in Religion | Tagged | Leave a comment

WHAT COUNTS AS A WHISTLEBLOWER RETALIATION? We suspect there is going to be a lot of  whistleblowing in the next few months and years. So, unions could be wise to brush up on what whistleblower retaliation looks like.  A recent … Continue reading

Posted in Whistleblowing | Tagged | Leave a comment

WHEN IS MANAGEMENT’S FMLA OBLIGATION TRIGGERED? What happens if an employee takes a lot of LWOP and AWOL to deal with a medical situation, but never asks management for FMLA leave.  In many cases, she is likely to be disciplined … Continue reading

Posted in FMLA | Tagged | Leave a comment

DAVID BOREN, EX-AFGE GENERAL COUNSEL, IS BACK It is always good to get another advocate for employees, especially one so deeply experienced as David. Gilbert Employment Law of Silver Spring Maryland just announced that he is joining their firm. David … Continue reading

Posted in Other | Tagged | 1 Comment

“OH, YOU BLACK PEOPLE” No, that is not a quote from President Trump’s latest anti-fed employee executive order, but we can’t vouch for the drafts.  The words were uttered by a Postal Service supervisor. According to the EEOC, his exact … Continue reading

Posted in Race | Tagged | Leave a comment