It is well known that, in the realm of collective bargaining, there are certain functions of government that are reserved by Title 5 to agency management alone and that cannot be bargained away. These are known […]

There are two types of discriminatory harassment: (1) harassment that creates a hostile work environment and (2) harassment that culminates in a tangible employment action. An employee who pursues a hostile work environment claim through the […]

Federal employees often encounter problems at work that they want to report, but sometimes fear retaliation. The Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) has recently set out guidelines that provide details about what is considered lawfully protected […]

With the issuance of two decisions – most recently the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, and National Air Traffic Controllers Association, 65 FLRA No. 42 (October 29, 2010) – the Federal Labor Relations Authority […]

A recent FLRA decision expands the remedies available to an arbitrator in fashioning an award. In FDIC, Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection, San Francisco Region and NTEU Chapter 273, 65 FLRA 102 (2010), the FLRA […]

Can you joke around with coworkers in the control room or the break room? Do you have a right to complain if your coworkers are joking in a sexual manner and you are offended? What can […]