Experienced Strategists Dedicated To Achieving Clients’ Goals

We Protect Federal Employees And Whistleblowers

With offices conveniently located off the Washington, D.C., Beltway, Thatcher Law Firm‘s experienced attorneys have successfully represented federal employees against government agencies.

Adverse Actions

Unlike private employees, federal government employees generally receive a notice of a proposed adverse action, including proposed termination and suspension actions. Federal employees are provided an opportunity to oppose these actions orally or in writing. We have represented many federal employees facing adverse actions, and we will fight to help save your job.

Extensive Knowledge Of Federal Workers’ Rights – EEOC Complaints

In the federal sector, employees must file discrimination complaints within their own federal agencies, and those agencies may conduct a full investigation of the claims raised in the complaints. Typically, federal employees must file a complaint with an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) officer at their agency within 45 days from the date the discrimination occurred. Because federal employees face shorter deadlines than other employees, it is important that you contact one of our attorneys as soon as you suspect you have been discriminated against.

Thatcher Law Firm‘s team of experienced attorneys will guide you through the process and ensure you meet all applicable deadlines. We assist federal employees through each step of the process, including but not limited to representation through mediation or a hearing before an administrative law judge.

As a federal employee, you are protected against discrimination under laws such as:

  • Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which makes it illegal to discriminate against a person on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy or national origin
  • The Equal Pay Act of 1963, which makes it illegal to pay different wages to men and women who perform the same work
  • Sections 501 and 505 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which makes it illegal to discriminate against a federal employee with a disability
  • The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA), which protects people who are 40 or older from age-based discrimination

If you think that you have been discriminated or retaliated against, Thatcher Law Firm‘s experienced employment attorneys can help you file a formal EEOC complaint.

Whistleblower Protection

Various “whistleblower” laws protect you against retaliation for speaking out against illegal activity. The Whistleblower Protection Act (WPA) was specifically enacted to protect federal employees who disclose information about waste, abuse, hazards or violations of laws or regulations. The WPA protects whistleblowers from terminations, demotions, pay cuts, blacklistings and reassignments. If you are a federal employee who thinks you have been discriminated or retaliated against as a whistleblower, contact an experienced employment law attorney at Thatcher Law Firm. 

The U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB)

If you are a federal employee who has faced an adverse employment action, you may be able to appeal to the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). Some of the types of appeals heard by the MSPB include:

  • Removals
  • Suspensions over 14 days
  • Furloughs of 30 days or less
  • Unfavorable determinations by the Office of Personnel Management
  • Whistleblower retaliation
  • Demotions and reductions in pay
  • Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) claims
  • Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) claims

Our experienced employment lawyers will help you determine if you are eligible to appeal to the MSPB and then guide you through every step of the process. Depending on the specific facts of your case, the deadline for filing your appeal may vary, so it is important that you contact an attorney as soon as you receive an adverse employment action.

Schedule An Appointment Now

For a consultation, contact us by email or call us at 301-850-1246. We serve clients throughout Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C.