Ask the Lawyer received the following question (paraphrased for easier reading and clarity) from a reader on a legal matter that might be of interest to the entire audience. Q: Are there specific guidelines for impact and implementation bargaining? If so, where can they be found? A: Impact and implementation bargaining is required by U.S.C. Chapter 71. Most collective bargaining agreements have a process for when and how impact and implementation bargaining occurs. At a minimum, it must occur before a decision is implemented unless management declares it has bargained to an impasse. Bill Bransford is managing partner of Shaw…

Ask the Lawyer received the following question (paraphrased for easier reading and clarity) from a reader on a legal matter that might be of interest to the entire audience. Q: My understanding is a GS-13 supervisor can only supervise up to a GS-12. Can a GS-13 in an acting capacity as a GS-14 supervise an individual in a permanent GS-14 position? Is this legal? A: Yes, what you describe is legal, but it is not always a good idea. Bill Bransford is managing partner of Shaw Bransford & Roth PC. Disclaimer: Ask a Lawyer publishes information on this website for…

Every four years, our government has a transition. Sometimes that transition is quite dramatic, with political appointees changing at virtually every position. Other times, such as this year, the change will happen on a lesser scale, but change will occur. Because of these changes at the political level, special safeguards have been enacted to protect the career civil service from being politicized when there is a presidential transition. Political appointees with previous government service recognize the value of the civil service and the reality that career federal employees are free from partisan politics as they perform their day-to-day duties. Unfortunately,…