On Tuesday, July 8th, the Supreme Court issued an order lifting a District Court injunction that had prohibited federal agencies from moving forward with mass layoffs (Reductions in Force or “RIFs”) without addressing the underlying issue. ALG Partner Michelle Bercovici provides an initial take on SCOTUS’s order and what employees can expect.| Alden Law Group, PLLC
On April 21, 2025, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) published a proposed rule to the Federal Register that would allow the President and OPM to fire a whole class of federal employees without warning, reason, or due process. OPM estimates that around 50,000 federal workers will be placed in the new job category. The […] The post OPM Proposes New Rule to Make It Easier to Fire Thousands of Civil Servants appeared first on Alden Law Group, PLLC.| Alden Law Group, PLLC
Broadly speaking, federal employees who have completed a probationary period and/or have 1-2 years of federal service should meet the definition of an “employee” with appeal rights under applicable laws, to include 5 U.S.C. § 7511. This includes, most importantly, the right to advance notice and the opportunity to respond before they can be fired […] The post Steps to take if you believe that you were not probationary but were summarily terminated appeared first on Alden Law Group, P...| Alden Law Group, PLLC
On January 28, 2025, “hr@opm.gov” transmitted to almost all federal employees an email with the subject “Fork in the Road,” purporting to offer a deferred resignation program. The email offered federal employees until February 6, 2025, to submit a “Deferred Resignation Letter,” committing to a resignation effective September 30, 2025, to allow certain federal employees to avoid […] The post An Employment Lawyer’s Analysis of OPM’s Sample Deferred Resignation Agreement appe...| Alden Law Group, PLLC
On January 28, 2025, hr@opm.gov transmitted to almost all federal employees an email with the subject “Fork in the Road,” purporting to offer a “deferred resignation program. The email provides federal employees until February 6, 2025, to sign “Deferred Resignation Letter,” committing to a resignation effective September 30, 2025. We strongly urge federal employees to […] The post Caution – “Deferred Resignation Program” – is not a “Buyout” appeared first on Alden La...| Alden Law Group, PLLC
This morning, the Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) Acting Director Charles Ezell issued a memorandum to all heads and acting heads of agencies entitled Guidance on Implementing President Trump’s Executive Order titled, “Restoring Accountability To Policy-Influencing Positions Within the Federal Workforce”. What is Schedule Career/Policy? The memo provides “guideposts” for the characteristics of positions that […] The post OPM issues guidance on Schedule Career/Policy appea...| Alden Law Group, PLLC
On his first day back in office, President Trump issued several executive orders directly impacting the federal workforce. These actions include reinstating the controversial “Schedule F” classification (now called “Schedule Career/Policy“), which reclassifies certain civil service positions to make it easier to hire and fire federal employees involved in policy-making roles. Additionally, he has mandated […] The post President Trump issues Executive Orders regarding Federal Workfor...| Alden Law Group, PLLC
Alden Law Group is proud to announce our three Partners – Kristin Alden, Michelle Bercovici, and James Eisenmann – are recognized in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. The post The Best Lawyers in America® recognizes ALG Partners in 2024 edition appeared first on Alden Law Group, PLLC.| Alden Law Group, PLLC
On May 16, 2023, the Merit Systems Protection Board (“the Board”) issued a precedential opinion affirming an initial decision that reversed our client’s wrongful termination on due process grounds. This opinion is a long-awaited victory for our client, who is represented by Partner Kristin D. Alden and Tyra M. Robinson. The Initial Appeal In January […] The post Merit Systems Protection Board Reverses ALG Client’s Termination appeared first on Alden Law Group, PLLC.| Alden Law Group, PLLC
We want to thank the thousands of people who completed our data call on probationary terminations and the individuals who responded to our requests to become named complainants. The information that you provided has been invaluable to us in building our complaint with the Office of Special Counsel. If we have not contacted you directly, […]| Alden Law Group, PLLC