Are Certain Agency Managers at More Risk Than Others?
Federal managers and supervisors are no strangers to accusations of wrongdoing, including allegations stemming from prohibited personnel practices (PPPs). In a recent study, the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) found there were certain agencies at which these practices occurred more frequently than others. According to the MSPB, 36 percent of DHS and State Department employees reported they had experienced or perceived at least one PPP over the previous two years. The government-wide average was 29.3 percent. Among those agencies that found themselves above the government-wide average were the VA at 33 percent, the Department of the Army at 32 percent, and the Department of Justice at 31 percent. The agencies on the opposite side of the spectrum, with lower-reported incidents, included GSA at 16 percent, as well as both NASA and the SEC at 19 percent.
Moreover, the MSPB report found certain groups report experiencing or perceiving a PPP at a higher rate than others. For example, reports were higher in larger agencies; higher among medical and investigatory occupations; slightly higher among women; lower for employees under the age of thirty; lower for managers, supervisors, and executives; and generally decreased as salary level increased. According to the MSPB, federal employees with the least organizational power to defend themselves report that they see PPPs the most.
Anytime reports that highlight misconduct among federal employees – such as this MSPB report – are released, agencies will be on high alert for future alleged misconduct. Especially in agencies with higher reported rates of PPPs, managers and supervisors may be vulnerable to allegations of wrongdoing investigations and subsequent disciplinary action. Alleged incidents involving federal managers can lead to agency investigations. As a federal manager, you need to have counsel that has specific experience representing federal employees with your professional vulnerabilities. A FEDS Protection professional liability insurance (PLI) policy can help.
FEDS Protection offers federal employee policies with $1 million, $2 million, or $3 million in civil liability protection for attorney’s fees and indemnity costs in the event you are sued in your civil capacity. The FEDS policy also includes $200,000 of legal representation coverage per incident for administrative actions and $100,000 of coverage for criminal defense costs. FEDS Protection is affordable – annual premiums start at just $290. Additionally, federal managers and law enforcement officers are eligible for a reimbursement of up to 50% the cost of their PLI policy through their agency. To learn more about how a FEDS PLI policy can protect you and your career, visit www.fedsprotection.com or call (866) 955-FEDS, M-F 8:30am-6pm to speak directly to a representative.
*This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.