Submitting a Response to Disciplinary Action
You are entitled to submitting a response once you have received a proposed
disciplinary action, and this response can dictate your future, reputation,
and career. If there are any deadlines stated within any of the documents,
it is crucial you adhere to them as these set dates are quite strict.
You may be asked to either submit an oral or written response, and you
will also have the chance to request any evidentiary materials that are
being used against you.
If you submit a written response, you should address all of the allegations
that are being raised against you, as well as a highlight of any proven
records of positive work performance. In this written response, you will
refute and deny any charges you are facing. The most important thing to
do in your written response is to request an oral response, as it is much
easier for a deciding officer to make a negative decision against you
if they can’t physically see you or hear your voice.
If you submit an oral response, you should be as straightforward as possible,
keeping it anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes. Do not read from your written
response - instead, highlight the main points and be prepared to answer
any questions presented to you. Remember to remain as open and honest
as possible, as coming off defensive will only make you look worse.
Federal Employee Disciplinary Actions - 4 Types
Depending on the circumstances that led to your disciplinary action, you
can expect to receive one or more of the following:
-
A demotion of your current position and possible deduction in pay
-
A temporary suspension that prohibits you from working during a specific time period
-
A letter of reprimand that not only details your misconduct, but stays on your record until
further notice
-
To be terminated and removed from the premise immediately
Each of these types come with their own set of unique legal challenges
that should not be battled on their own. We specialize in the defense
of federal employees and urge you to call us immediately if you have experienced
one of these scenarios.