There is inherent risk in everyday federal management decisions. Media sensation, negative public impact, political agendas and disgruntled employees are just a few of the reasons federal managers should have professional liability insurance from FEDS Protection in place. Congress understands that you need this protection.
This is why federal agencies are required to reimburse all managers and supervisors up to half the cost of this insurance.
Administrative & Disciplinary Matters
Very often, you must invoke your policy benefits due to employee allegations of:
- Harassment,
- Discrimination,
- Retaliation,
- Wrongful Termination, and
- Whistleblower Reprisal.
Sometimes, it is the result of more serious and costly investigations such as:
- OIG Investigations
- OSC Investigations
- OPR/OIA Investigations & Other Professional Misconduct Hearings
- HR Investigations / Management Inquiries
- Internal Disciplinary Boards
- MSPB Appeals
- Disciplinary Proceedings
For administrative matters, your FEDS policy will pay for legal defense (up to $200,000) to defend the allegations prepare you for the agency administrative or investigation process, attend the investigative interview with you, and defend you in any resulting disciplinary action at both the agency level and at the MSPB.
Civil Suits
Although very rare, you may even find yourself facing a civil suit, or personal capacity lawsuit, without DOJ representation. Personal capacity lawsuits, however, should not be confused with lawsuits filed under the Federal Torts Claims Act, in which you have absolute immunity.
If you are sued in your personal capacity for a job related decision or action, all you really need to understand is that:
- DOJ representation is not mandatory. DOJ representation is not automatic. DOJ can deny representation if it is not in the interest of the United States to do so, and
- You can be held personally liable even if DOJ represents. You don’t have absolute immunity like you do for lawsuits under the FTCA.
In a personal capacity lawsuit, your FEDS attorney will defend you when DOJ exercises its discretion not to. This most often happens if you are being investigated for the very same reason that you are being sued—you can see that DOJ will not want to be on both sides of that. The policy will also provide indemnification if you are held liable. Defense and indemnification limits are either $1,000,000, $2,000,000 or $3,000,000 depending on the policy you choose.
Criminal Investigations
The most common criminal investigations involving federal managers are due to:
- Conflict of interest statutes where intent is not a prerequisite to prove the crime,
- Misappropriation of federal funds,
- Release of privacy act or other statutorily protected information, and/or
- Allegations of misuse or abuse of position or authority.
If you are the subject of a criminal investigation, FEDS will pay for legal defense up to $100,000. Often, it is the career executive that gets served up to testify on congress.
Enrollment takes less than 5 minutes.
FEDS Protection is Affordable:
$1,000,000 Policy: $290*
$2,000,000 Policy: $390*
$3,000,000 Policy: $490*
* Plus applicable taxes and administrative fees
Payroll deduction is available, starting at $12 per pay period.
Managers, supervisors, and law enforcement officers are eligible for agency reimbursement of up to 50% of the PLI premium cost.
Have questions? Call us at 866.955.FEDS.
Please see the Master Policy for complete policy terms and conditions.