On Monday, Senior Counsel Courtney Mickman was quoted in The Washington Post. In their article, “Trump accelerates push to reward loyalty in federal workforce,” reporters Meryl Kornfield and Hannah Natanson write: “Many critics say the administration is scrapping a nonpartisan, merit-based civil service in favor of a biased, politicized system.” The administration continues its efforts to reclassify federal workers whose duties, arguably, involve policy-making. The administration has also proposed to require job applicants to submit essays describing how they would advance President Trump’s priorities. Additionally, the Senate is considering a budget proposal that would require new federal employees to choose between accepting “at-will” employment status and paying a higher retirement contribution. The vast majority of private-sector employees are “at-will,” which means that either the employer or employee can terminate the employment relationship at any time and for any lawful reason or for no reason at all.
The article quotes Mickman, who previously served as an Administrative Judge for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC):
“It is very atypical to have these types of questions included as part of the hiring process, particularly outside of any policy type of position,” Mickman said. “Depending on how individuals respond, there’s the potential for political affiliation discrimination to occur.”
Read the complete article on The Washington Post.
If you believe you have been subject to political affiliation discrimination, it may be helpful to consult with an employment attorney. An experienced employment attorney can assess your case, determine if you have a claim, and discuss your legal rights. Alan Lescht and Associates, P.C., represents federal employees around the world and private-sector and state and local government employees in Washington, DC, Maryland, and northern Virginia. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
