Downsizing Dilemma
Last month, President Trump
signed an executive order continuing his administration’s focus on downsizing the federal workforce. Many of the initiatives have been spearheaded by the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Agency leaders have been advised to prepare for large-scale reductions in force that have the potential to create serious challenges for federal managers.
Large-scale downsizing could pose several problems for federal managers, such as increased workloads for remaining employees and allegations of wrongful termination from those that have been let go. An increased workload could lead to burn out, errors, and a drop in efficiency, all of which will reflect poorly on managers. Widescale layoffs may lead to a decrease in morale amongst remaining employees, effects that could be blamed on the federal managers in charge of these workers. Managers could also face the bulk of the backlash for carrying out a majority of the reductions in the last few weeks, whether they agreed with them or not. With these new directives, federal managers may come under fire for simply doing their job. If that happens, it is crucial that you have the tools to protect yourself – a professional liability insurance (PLI) policy from FEDS Protection can help.
Conflicting Commands
OPM has also begun sending
weekly emails instructing federal employees to explain their accomplishments of the previous week. The initial email, sent out with little warning, prompted mass confusion among the federal workforce and a search for appropriate guidance from any resource—especially management. Federal managers were placed in a very difficult position, with often-times conflicting guidance from OPM, agency heads, and local management. For instance, HHS employees were given
opposing instructions from different levels of agency management. Confusion amongst employees can undermine the efforts of federal managers to provide accurate instruction in this ever-changing environment and can leave federal managers vulnerable to allegations of mismanagement from their employees, as well as allegations of failure to follow instructions from agency leaders.
With the many conflicting guidelines that directly impact employees, the professional exposures of federal managers and supervisors continue to increase. When employees and agency heads are looking to place blame, managers will be subject to allegations and investigations for their actions taken and instructions given based on the evolving administration. Allegations and investigations can lead to disciplinary actions – which may lead to suspensions and terminations – being taken against you, or personal capacity lawsuits. If an allegation is made against you, it is a necessity, not luxury, to have knowledgeable and effective counsel advocating on your behalf.
Protecting Personnel
As the professional liability insurance (PLI) provider endorsed by the leading federal employee associations, FEDS Protection offers federal employee PLI policies with $1 million, $2 million, or $3 million in civil liability protection for attorney’s fees and indemnity costs in the event you are sued in your civil capacity. The FEDS policy also includes $200,000 of legal representation coverage per incident for administrative actions and $100,000 of coverage for criminal defense costs.
Annual premiums for FEDS Protection PLI start at $290. Additionally, federal managers, supervisors, and law enforcement officers are eligible for a reimbursement of up to 50% the cost of their PLI policy through their agency. To learn more about how a FEDS PLI policy can protect you and your career, visit www.fedsprotection.com or call (866) 955-FEDS, M-F 8:30am-6pm to speak directly to a representative.
*This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.