Legal Updates
FAQ for Class Action on DoDEA’s release of medical information for Reasonable Accommodation
From March 11, 2002, through December 31, 2009, DoDEA used a Request for Reasonable Accommodation Form that contained a mandatory general release of medical information that was overly broad, in violation the Rehabilitation Act. A class action lawsuit was filed on behalf of employees this practice may have impacted. After years of litigation, in full… Read More
IN BIG VICTORY, RULING AFFIRMS DODEA ILLEGALLY IMPLEMENTED DPMAP
Jan 23rd, 2023 In a recent decision and big victory for Overseas educators, the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) granted FEA’s motion for reconsideration of their ruling on DoDEA’s implementation of the Defense Performance Management and Appraisal Program (DPMAP) on Overseas employees and reaffirmed an arbitrator’s decision that DoDEA’s implementation violated an agreement with FEA.… Read More
DoDEA Post on Miscalculation of Retirement Contributions
The following information regarding miscalcuation of retirement contributions was recently posted by DoDEA: DoDEA was just informed that there was a programming error found within the Defense Civilian Payroll System (DCPS) when retroactive payroll corrections were processed for a prior year. Due to this error, the retirement contributions (employee and employer) were miscalculated for some… Read More
DoDEA SIGNALS INTENT TO COMPLY WITH SMART LES RULING
April 26, 2022 FEA members in the Overseas unit may have recently noticed something new hanging up on their school bulletin boards – a notice signed by the DoDEA Director, indicating that the Agency will comply with an arbitrator’s decision requiring them to implement better and clearer pay information with Leave and Earnings Statements (LESs).… Read More
UPDATED GUIDANCE FOR EMPLOYEES ON FILING FECA (WORKERS COMP) CLAIMS DUE TO COVID EXPOSURE
In response to Association requests for clearer information for members exposed to COVID 19 who seek to file claims under the Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA), DoDEA management has updated its guidance on how employees should seek assistance with the process. DoDEA is now advising employees to contact the Army Benefits Center – Civilian (ABC-C)… Read More
DoDEA Updates COVID Info Following Association Request
Association attorneys and leaders Thursday raised concerns with the vaccine exemption form issued by DoDEA earlier this week, leading to management’s release of updated guidance providing more flexibility in the timeline for employees to file medical documentation when seeking exemption from the November 22 deadline to be fully vaccinated. FEA and FEA-Stateside Region leaders and… Read More
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION GREATLY EXPANDS CREDIT FOR STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS
In great news for many educators with student loans, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) recently announced a change to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program rules for a limited time, allowing many borrowers to receive credit for past payments made on loans that would otherwise not qualify for PSLF. Some 550,000 public service… Read More
NOV 22 DEADLINE FOR FEDS TO BECOME FULLY VACCINATED
Following an Executive Order from the White House requiring federal employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force has issued guidance stating that feds must be fully vaccinated by November 22 of this year. Please be aware that the guidance states that the vaccine mandate applies to teleworking employees and… Read More
FEA Stands with NEA on Federal Employee Vaccination Policy
Late last month, the Biden administration issued an Executive Order on Covid-19 vaccinations for federal government employees. (Read that EO at https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/07/29/fact-sheet-president-biden-to-announce-new-actions-to-get-more-americans-vaccinated-and-slow-the-spread-of-the-delta-variant/) The order specified that all employees attest to their vaccination status, and those that are not vaccinated will be subject to certain requirements, such as frequent testing, official travel restrictions, and more. Subsequently,… Read More
HATCH ACT DO’S AND DON’TS
Advice for FEA Members on Political Activities and the Hatch Act The "Hatch Act" is the law that defines what Congress allows federal employees to do (or not to do) in regards to elections and political activities. The Office of Special Counsel (OSC) is the government agency that implements the regulations and enforces the Hatch… Read More