I’m working on a TV reality show — which I naturally will host and become rich from — with a twist. There won’t be any contrived and scripted tribes of people ‘stranded’ on a desert island a la Lord of the Flies. We aren’t going to switch spouses putting a stern task master with a family of slobs. We won’t have fair maidens deciding between a jock and a nerd.

No!

This will be real reality. Actually after-the-fact situations which we may just tell straight out, or maybe (once the big buck sponsors latch on) reenact.

Details.

The show should write itself. It will target one of the most unpopular-with-the-public groups: federal workers. If that works — and how can it not? — we can do a spinoff with even less respected professions such as politics, lawyers and the news media.

Many of the true life scenarios for this Stupid Feds Show will be drawn from cases of government workers — white collar, postal and blue collar — who let their political zeal overpower their common sense. We’re talking violations of the Hatch “no politics” Act.

It is a much modified — and watered down — 70 year old law which says federal workers (and officials) shouldn’t get political at the office. No buttons, badges or posters. No recruiting or arm-twisting and definitely no fund raising at the office or on federal facilities.

This should be a no-brainer. But every year, and especially in election years, dozens of U.S. Government workers — Republicans and Democrats — cross the line. Some get away with it. Others get caught.

Example:

During the 2008 presidential campaign an IRS revenue agent sent an e-mail — from his office on his government computer — “to numerous individuals, including co-workers” soliciting financial contributions financial for the campaign of candidate Barack H. Obama. In the e-mail he included his name, agency, title, duty location and telephone number. It also linked to three campaign donation sites which took credit cards. So you could donate, if you liked, from your government office. While working.

Whatever your politics, imagine getting a request for funds from an IRS agent!!!

The guy was eventually fired and he appealed his case to the Merit Systems Protection Board. This is where it gets really good.

He admitted doing it, but said he didn’t know it would be a problem. He said at best he should get a 30 day suspension because there was no deliberate disregard” of the Hatch Act. Besides, he said, the feds on his e-mail list were not subordinates and he didn’t coerce anybody. Also he said he was really sorry and wouldn’t do it again.

He agreed that the IRS had, four days earlier, had given employees a pamphlet entitled Plain Talk About Ethics” which included information on the Hatch Act. He got it, he said, but he didn’t read it.

Bottom line, he is no longer collecting money for Uncle Sam.

One problem with my planned TV series: A woman named Elaine Kaplan. She’s general counsel for the Office of Personnel Management. She’s trying to educate employees as to the perils of politics at the office. She recently issued a warning which — if enough people follow it — will doom me to a life of sweating over a hot key board. Here’s what she said.

Please do not pass it on:

“In view of the upcoming Congressional, state, and local elections this November, it is a good time to remind OPM employees about the Hatch Act (5 U.S.C. §§ 7321-7326) and its implementing regulations (5 C.F.R. Part 734).

Non-SES employees:

The Hatch Act and its implementing regulations allow the majority of Federal employees to participate actively in most partisan political activities, so long as they are off duty and not on Federal property. OPM employees who are not career senior executives may:

• be candidates for public office in nonpartisan elections
• register and vote as they choose
• assist in voter registration drives
• express opinions about candidates and issues
• contribute money to political organizations
• attend political fundraising functions
• attend and be active at political rallies and meetings
• join and be an active member of a political party or club
• sign nominating petitions
• campaign for or against referendum questions, constitutional amendments, municipal ordinances
• campaign for or against candidates in partisan elections
• make campaign speeches for candidates in partisan elections
• distribute campaign literature in partisan elections
• hold office in political clubs or parties

Under the Hatch Act, OPM employees may not:

• use their official authority or influence to interfere with an election
• solicit or discourage the political activity of anyone with business before OPM
• ask for, accept, or receive political contributions (may be done in certain limited situations by Federal labor or other employee organizations)
• be candidates for public office in partisan elections
• participate in political activity (activity directed toward the success of a political party or a candidate for office in a partisan election) while on duty, in Federal offices or worksites, wearing an official uniform, using a government owned or leased vehicle
• wear partisan political buttons on duty

Special Caution for All Employees:

Pay particular attention to the prohibition against participating in “political activity” (activity directed toward the success of a political party or a candidate for office in a partisan election) while on duty, or on federal property or while using Government resources, such as office equipment, computers, the email system, telephones, cell phones and PDAs.

Please keep in mind that the prohibition against on duty political activity applies to both government issued equipment and to use of your personal cell phone, pager, email, PDA, and other devices when you are on duty or in a federal facility.

It is especially important that employees do not use government email systems to distribute political messages, as the Office of Special Counsel has been aggressively pursuing such violations in recent years.

In addition, political posting, updating, blogging, tweeting, and other internet activities from the workplace or while on duty are considered violations.

Enforcement and Penalties:

The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) investigates and prosecutes alleged violations, and the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) determines whether a violation occurred. The penalty for violating the Hatch Act is removal from your Federal position. The full board of the Merit Systems Protection Board can lower that penalty to a minimum 30 day suspension, but only by a unanimous decision.

Further Information:

For further information, go to the OSC website.

You may contact OSC’s Hatch Act Unit if you would like to secure advice about whether or not particular activities violate the Hatch Act. You also can contact the OPM Office of General Counsel via email or at 202-606-1700.

Finally, you should take a look at Political Activity and the Federal Employee, an excellent booklet that is published by the OSC.

Thanks a lot Elaine! Ever hear of free (as in my) enterprise?

To reach me: mcausey@federalnewsradio.com

Nearly Useless Factoid
by Suzanne Kubota

“Our personalities stay pretty much the same throughout our lives, from our early childhood years to after we’re over the hill,” reports LiveScience.

ALSO ON FEDERAL NEWS RADIO
Bill would freeze federal workforce at 2009 levels
Among the other headlines this morning on the Monday Morning Federal Newscast: Performance-based pay for intell feds ends, 13 nominations bounced back to White House. Learn more from the Morning Federal Newscast by clicking here.

Postal Service may not be able to pay 2011 bills
The U.S. Postal Service is in dire financial straits. Like most of us, they’ll need to make more, spend less, or come up with some combination of the two. According to the latest quarterly report, the USPS plans to “increase efficiency, reduce costs, and generate new revenue”, but that may not be enough to make up for the predicted $7 to $8 billion dollar shortfall. In fact, the Postal Service says it may not be able to pay all of its bills in 2011. Read more here.

Your office fridge could be hazardous to your health
What’s that gross stuff on the counter in the office kitchen? How long has that crust been on the inside of the microwave? What is that nasty odor coming from the fridge? Kitchen cleanliness its something every office battles, but now Men’s Health says it could actually be making you sick. Learn how to get your fridge cleaner and make your office healthier by reading more here.

Which agency has the best gym?
Federal News Radio wants to know what agency you think has the best gym or workout facility. It’s part of our Best of the Federal Government series. Nominate an agency now. And, be sure to check out which agency won for best food/cafeteria!

Copyright © 2024 Federal News Network. All rights reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.