The Civil Service: Myths vs. Facts
I’ve noticed recently that lots of (inaccurate) HR-related articles are popping up on my LinkedIn newsfeed. No doubt spurred by the change in administration next week combined with a chance to capitalize on ad revenue, misleading clickbait headlines seem to be at an all-time high.
Below are just a few of the myths we’ve seen, followed by the truth and specific classes that will clarify the realities:
The myth: PIPs are an absolute waste of time with underperforming employees.
The truth: PIPs are required in most agencies and can actually be used to help an employee better understand job expectations. Plus, if the employee is not performing acceptably after the PIP, the agency now has solid evidence upon which to base a removal.
Related classes: UnCivil Servant: Holding Employees Accountable for Performance and Conduct, Feb. 12-13
The myth: AWOL employees are something every agency has to put up with.
The truth: Agencies may absolutely discipline for AWOL – and should, but coding someone AWOL is not the same as actually implementing discipline. There’s a required process to follow.
Related classes: Feds Gone AWOL: What to Do When Employees Don’t Show Up, Feb. 6
The myth: Employees can refuse to obey a supervisor’s order if they are morally or religiously opposed to it.
The truth: “Work now, grieve later” is required in most cases, and employees can be disciplined – including removed – if they refuse to follow a lawful order.
Related classes: Handling Insubordination and Failure to Follow Instructions, March 6
Check out our full calendar for all of our upcoming classes. The implications of a new president are different for executive branch Federal employees than they are for employees of other branches or the private sector – and we at FELTG keep tabs on it all.
In this month’s newsletter, we cover topics including:
- An annual review of the state of the civil service in 2025,
- Which characteristics make a meeting with an employee a formal discussion,
- A reasonable accommodation case that overlaps with an employee’s FMLA claims,
- How negative publicity can be used to establish nexus, and
- Questions and answers about harassment claims in 2025.
Read and enjoy,
Deborah J. Hopkins, FELTG President
