For dedicated federal employees, receiving a letter of reprimand can feel like a slap in the face.
You’ve worked hard, followed protocols, and served your agency faithfully—only to find your efforts overshadowed by a formal document outlining alleged mistakes or misconduct.
Beyond the sting of the reprimand itself, you might worry about how this action will affect your reputation, opportunities for advancement, and long-term career goals.
The good news is that a letter of reprimand doesn’t have to define your professional path.
In this blog post, our federal employment lawyers explain what you need to know about this disciplinary document. We’ll also cover what a letter of reprimand for a federal employee could mean in the long run and the options available to address it effectively.
Learn how we can assist you by calling (800) 801-0598 or filling out our online form today.
What Is a Letter of Reprimand?
A letter of reprimand is a formal disciplinary action taken by your federal employer. It is a written warning for perceived misconduct, failure to meet performance standards, or other workplace concerns.
In the letter, your agency should outline the alleged behavior or performance issues that motivated the reprimand. They may also warn about further disciplinary actions you could face if the behavior continues.
Letters of reprimand don’t have any impact on an employee’s pay, status, or tenure. However, they do go into your Official Personnel File (OPF). Although it’s not as severe an adverse action as a suspension or removal, a letter of reprimand can have long-term implications in your career. It can also serve as evidence to justify more severe penalties—such as suspension, demotion, or termination—if your behavior continues.
How Long Does a Letter of Reprimand Stay on File?
Generally, a letter of reprimand can stay in your personnel file for up to three years. However, this period can vary depending on your agency and their policies. Depending on agency rules, you may also need to request the removal of the letter from your OPF after the specified period.
Since managers, supervisors, and other agency decision-makers can review your file, any letters of reprimand can impact decisions about your role and future, e.g., potential promotions, raises, and assignments. Remember that even after removal, a letter could still influence your supervisor’s perception of you or your work. That’s why it can be important to address the issue proactively.
How Do I Appeal a Letter of Reprimand as a Federal Employee?
Importantly, federal employees typically can’t appeal letters of reprimand to the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB).
However, there are still other ways to challenge a letter you believe was unjust, based on incorrect information, or due to discrimination or retaliation.
Here are some potential actions you could take:
- Pursue a formal grievance. Most federal agencies have an administrative process for employees to raise grievances. These procedures are usually outlined in your agency’s employee handbook or union agreement, if applicable.
- File a discrimination claim. Reprimands that target federal employees based on their race, gender, disability, or other protected category are a form of illegal discrimination and a prohibited personnel practice. If you suspect discrimination motivated your disciplinary action, you should speak to your agency’s Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) office about filing a claim.
- Submit a retaliation complaint. The Whistleblower Protection Act safeguards federal employees who face backlash from their employing agency after speaking out about illegal activity or wrongdoing. If you believe your letter of reprimand is retaliation for whistleblowing, you can report it to the Office of Special Counsel.
Although a federal employee reprimand is one of the least severe forms of discipline you can face, contesting it can still be complex. That’s why many federal employees benefit from consulting with an experienced federal employment attorney who can help you understand your rights and options to challenge your agency’s action.
An attorney can also evaluate whether the reprimand violates agency rules or federal laws and craft a strategy to address it effectively.
Proactive Support to Protect Your Federal Career
At Pines Federal, we understand how stressful and confusing it can be to receive a letter of reprimand. However, this doesn’t have to define your career. With over 60 years of combined experience exclusively representing federal employees, our team has the knowledge and procedural insights to help you navigate this challenge.
Our lawyers are meticulous and dedicated advocates, and we are proud to have earned significant victories for federal employees nationwide.
Contact our office online or call (800) 801-0598 today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we can help you.