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Resources for Marylanders Affected by Trump Admin Policies

Tips and Resources for Federal Workers

Know Your Rights

Tips for Federal Workers 

While the actions taken by the Trump Administration are an unprecedented and a troubling assault on the federal civil service, you as a federal employee have rights and avenues for legal recourse. If you believe you are being illegally targeted, you should: 

  1. Keep a record of everything including, hard copies of performance reviews, SF-50’s, and years of service 
  2. Pursue legal advice from an attorney specializing in federal employee law or from your union
  3. File a complaint

Filing a complaint

Note: If you are in a bargaining unit, you should communicate with your union first, as it is possible that they have a different, negotiated set of grievance procedures.

1. If you are a current or former federal employee or applicant, you may have a right to file a complaint with the Office of Special Counsel (OSC). 

  • Discrimination (although OSC defers to EEOC on any overlapping claims)
  • Personnel recommendations taken based on connections or influence
  • Coercing political activity
  • Obstructing competition
  • Influencing withdrawal from competition
  • Granting unauthorized advantage
  • Nepotism
  • Whistleblower retaliation
  • Other retaliation
  • Violating rules that implement a merit system principle
  • Imposing nondisclosure agreements that do not allow whistleblowing
  • Accessing medical records in the furtherance of another prohibited personnel practice

2. If you are a federal employee and believe one of the personnel actions below were taken against you for reasons other than on the basis of merit, you may have the right to appeal the personnel action to the U.S Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB): 

You start by filing an appeal in writing. There are a number of steps, but in the end you can seek review of a final decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

3. If you are a federal employee or federal job applicant and believe you have been discriminated against, you may have a right to file a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Possible grounds for filing a complaint include if you believe you were discriminated against because of your race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation, pregnancy, or transgender status), national origin, age (40 and older), disability or genetic information. If you believe you have been retaliated against by opposing employment discrimination on the above grounds, filed a complaint of discrimination, or participated in the EEO complaint process (even if the complaint is not yours), you may have a right to file a complaint with the EEOC. 

There are a number of steps, but at the end you have the ability to appeal a decision to the EEOC or file a lawsuit in federal district court.

The information above is provided for informational purposes only. These tips are meant to give a general overview of the legal rights of federal employees as outlined by executive branch agencies tasked with protecting those rights, such as the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). The information outlined on this website should not be interpreted as legal advice on any subject matter. For legal advice, speak with an attorney or if you are in a bargaining unit, refer to your union. 

Maryland Unemployment Resources

Resources for Whistleblowers

Resources from the State Government

Resources from County Governments

Additional resources

Resources for LGBTQ+ Families

Resources for Immigrant Families