Rising Oversight in Congress Puts Federal Managers Under a Microscope

Congress is considering a set of federal workforce bills that could significantly reshape how supervisors and managers oversee their teams. While the proposals aim to improve transparency and accountability, they also introduce new layers of monitoring and documentation that may leave federal leaders more exposed to allegations of mismanagement, procedural error, or personnel-related disputes.

The House Oversight Committee recently advanced a number of bills that would expand probationary periods and increase reporting on union-related official time, among other actions. Each of these changes would increase scrutiny on federal managers — and with greater scrutiny comes greater professional vulnerability.

Closer Monitoring of Supervisors — and Far Less Margin for Error

Longer probationary periods

The EQUALS Act would extend probation for most new federal employees to two years, while also requiring agencies to regularly evaluate their employees in that period, and certify within the final 30 days that a probationary employee “advances the public interest” before they can be retained. Failure to make that certification — even if unintentional — could result in termination of the probationary employee. Supervisors will need to document performance, conduct, mission alignment, and efficiency more rigorously than before, as well as ensure that they are making all required certifications within the proper time period.

Public reporting on union activity

The proposed Official Time Reporting Act would require agencies to collect and publicly report detailed information about union representatives’ use of official time — hours worked, purposes, costs to the agency, and resources provided. This transparency measure puts managers squarely in the spotlight when approving or tracking the official time of their employees.

Increased Scrutiny Means Increased Exposure for Federal Managers

With Congress moving toward stricter oversight and heightened transparency, federal managers will face more visibility into their decisions and a lower tolerance for mistakes or documentation lapses — even when acting in good faith.

Why exposure is rising:

• More decisions will require documented justification or certification, especially regarding probation, performance, and official time.

• Supervisory actions can be scrutinized, including through agency reports, union challenges, or congressional inquiry.

• Perceived inconsistencies — even minor ones — can trigger administrative reviews, grievances, or disciplinary investigations.

In this environment, allegations against supervisors may increase not because of wrongdoing, but because the rules governing their actions are expanding, becoming more complex, and attracting more public attention.

How Professional Liability Insurance Helps Managers Navigate Heightened Oversight

When federal managers face allegations — whether tied to performance decisions, disciplinary actions, union matters, or claims of prohibited personnel practices — they often must defend themselves in administrative investigations or civil actions.

A FEDS Protection professional liability insurance (PLI) policy helps protect careers and financial well-being during these moments of scrutiny.

With a FEDS PLI policy, managers receive:

• $1 million, $2 million, or $3 million in civil liability protection for attorney’s fees and indemnity if sued in their personal capacity.

• $200,000 per incident in legal representation for administrative investigations — where most supervisory allegations arise.

• $100,000 per incident in criminal defense coverage.

• Eligibility for 50% reimbursement of the premium for supervisors and managers.
  Annual premiums start at $290.

In a landscape where oversight is tightening and supervisors’ decisions are increasingly scrutinized, PLI is no longer optional protection — it is a professional necessity.

Protect Yourself as Oversight Expands

As agencies adapt to new legislative mandates and more public-facing accountability standards, federal managers must prepare for a world where their decisions are routinely examined, challenged, and documented.

A FEDS Protection PLI policy ensures you are not left to defend those decisions alone.

To learn more, visit www.fedsprotection.com or call (866) 955-FEDS, Monday–Friday, 8:30am–6pm to speak with a representative.

*This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.