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: A recent MSPB ruling, Isabella, cited that the government could not discriminate on the entry age for federal law enforcement jobs. My agency is hiring persons into law enforcement positions past the age of 37 with no mandatory retirement age. However, I turn 57 next year and am being forced to retire. An employee who I supervise was recently selected to transition into a law enforcement position and is currently…
Browsing: discrimination
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: After I submitted allegations of EEO discrimination and an informal investigation was completed, I was transferred to another agency for being disruptive and causing lack of productivity. That’s something I have never done. Can I hold the agency and it’s leadership accountable for not taking any action against my supervisor and transferring me? A: The EEO system will adjudicate your complaint. You also may file a retaliation complaint for your…
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: What is mandatory retirement? Couldn’t this be considered age discrimination? A: Age discrimination is a federal statute. Mandatory retirement for law enforcement and air traffic controllers is a federal statute. Yes, Congress is allowed to enact legislation setting forth discriminatory treatment for different groups of people. Bill Bransford is managing partner of Shaw, Bransford & Roth, PC. Disclaimer: Ask a Lawyer publishes information on this website for informational purposes…
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: After working in the federal government as a contractor for nine years in an at-will state, I was terminated. My manager had made comments that I felt were distasteful, embarrassing, belittling, derogatory and threatening. I had not had problems with managers in the past. My manager began to take tasks away from me, removed my restricted computer access and became very angry when I asked for a task assignment in…
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: I filed a discrimination complaint and am in the discovery process. Can I be fired for filing an EEOC complaint? A: It is illegal retaliation to fire someone solely because he or she has filed a discrimination complaint. The burden of proof is on the person claiming discrimination. In other words, you must be able to overcome or disprove the legitimate reason an agency will undoubtedly provide for a removal…
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: What is it called when a federal manager tries to stop an employee’s attempt to file an EEO complaint? How serious is this type of violation? A: Trying to stop any employee from exercising EEO rights is reprisal, plain and simple. It’s a very serious violation and often easier to prove than the other types of discrimination. Bill Bransford is managing partner of Shaw, Bransford & Roth, PC. Disclaimer: Ask…