As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) responds to one of the largest Ebola outbreaks in recent history, agency leadership has acknowledged that a smaller workforce will require difficult decisions about which missions receive priority. After elevating its Ebola response to a Level 1 activation, which is the agency's highest emergency response level, CDC officials are asking employees to support a response that could continue for months while balancing other critical public health responsibilities.
For federal employees, especially those working in public health and emergency response, increased workloads often bring increased professional risk. When staffing is stretched and priorities shift quickly, employees may find themselves performing unfamiliar duties, covering additional responsibilities, or making time-sensitive decisions under intense scrutiny. In today's environment, protecting both your career and peace of mind have never been more important. A professional liability insurance (PLI) policy from FEDS Protection can help safeguard against professional exposures.
Smaller Workforce, Bigger Mission
According to CDC leadership, the agency elevated its Ebola response to a Level 1 activation because of the size and complexity of the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. A Level 1 response requires the agency to dedicate its highest level of staffing and operational support towards the emergency.
At the same time, CDC employees continue supporting responses to other public health concerns while operating with a significantly reduced workforce. The agency experienced a net loss of more than 3,200 employees over the past year, leaving many offices to rely on temporary reassignments and employees serving in multiple roles.
For many federal employees, this means increased workloads, compressed timelines, and greater responsibility with fewer available resources.
Increased Responsibility Can Increase Professional Risk
When agencies operate under staffing shortages, civil servants often step into assignments outside their normal duties. While these temporary assignments are essential to accomplishing the mission, they can also create additional exposure.
Federal employees working under emergency conditions may face:
- Increased oversight from agency leadership.
- Greater public and media attention during high-profile responses.
- Difficult operational decisions with limited time or resources.
- Administrative reviews or investigations if questions arise about actions taken during emergency operations.
Even when federal employees act in good faith and within agency guidance, decisions made during crisis situations may later be reviewed through investigations or administrative proceedings.
Protecting Yourself While Protecting the Mission
Federal employees are committed to serving the public – even during challenging circumstances – but increased operational demands should also serve as a reminder to protect your own career.
Professional liability insurance (PLI) can provide invaluable legal representation if allegations arise from actions taken in the rendering of your official duties. Whether responding to a public health emergency, managing expanded responsibilities, or navigating changing agency priorities, having experienced legal counsel available can provide peace of mind when it matters most.
FEDS Protection for Federal Employees
As the professional liability insurance (PLI) provider endorsed by leading federal employee associations, FEDS Protection offers federal employee PLI policies with $1 million, $2 million, or $3 million in civil liability protection per incident for attorney fees and indemnity costs if you are sued in your individual capacity..
The FEDS policy also includes:
- Up to $200,000 in per incident legal representation coverage for administrative and disciplinary matters
- Up to $100,000 in per incident criminal defense coverage
- Access to experienced attorneys who understand federal employment matters
Annual premiums start at $290. Additionally, many federal managers, supervisors, and law enforcement officers may be eligible for agency reimbursement of up to 50% of their PLI premium.
If you need assistance renewing your policy or accessing your Certificate of Insurance, please Contact Us or call 866-955-3337, Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m. (ET)
This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Coverage is subject to policy terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions.
Are You Leaving Federal Service and Considering Government Contracting?
If yes, consider FEDS Protection for your government contracting insurance needs. At FEDS Protection, we also support federal contractors by providing insurance coverage specifically tailored to meet the unique needs of today's federal contractors. Our civil-only PLI policy can provide coverage for legal defense costs and liability damages, up to the policy limit, if you are sued for an alleged act, error, or omission arising out of professional services performed under a federal government contract, either directly or through your employer.
Whether you are required to carry professional liability (E&O) insurance under a federal contract or just want to protect your livelihood, our policy is designed specifically for federal and independent contractors.
Did You Know?
The Department of Energy (DOE) was established in August 1977 to oversee the country’s energy policy. From energy production to research and development, the agency’s goal is to promote energy conservation and energy independence.
We are grateful for the work of the civil servants throughout the agency – and the country. FEDS Protection is the leading provider of professional liability insurance to the federal community. We have proudly provided peace of mind to the federal workforce for nearly two decades. We appreciate your business and celebrate your dedication to public service not only this year, but for years to come.
Testimonials
"Here’s a 19th Watch-out Situation for firefighters: Beware of criminal, civil, and administrative liability when something goes wrong on one of your fires, even if you’ve done absolutely nothing wrong. You can cooperate with your agency and protect yourself at the same time, but you need legal advice to accomplish these dual and sometimes conflicting goals. The fire investigation process has become a thicket of thorns, as the testimonials on this website will tell you in vivid detail. If you have professional liability insurance, keep it. If you don’t have it, get it.”
- John Maclean, Author
Presentations & Webinars
Contact us if you are interested in a webinar or receiving brochures that provide federal employees with best practices on how to protect themselves with a federal employee professional liability insurance policy like those offered by FEDS Protection. FEDS Protection webinars are a valuable resource for learning more about the specific professional exposures of federal employees, PLI in general, and the FEDS Protection program. Check out our library to access content that speaks to your position in the federal government.
Recent Webinars
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