Dear Bureau Pat,

I have a staff member with a chronic health condition who for years did not require any special accommodations. Recently, his condition progressed to where he has requested special equipment to fulfill his day-to-day activities at work. What are my obligations as a federal supervisor regarding reasonable accommodations and is my office responsible for personal items such as glasses, wheel chairs or hearing aids?

Dear Perplexed,

As a model employer, the federal government has lead the effort in not just educating the public about employment opportunities available for individuals with disabilities, but understanding the contributions that all people provide - even your old boss you swore was retarded.

In order to understand your responsibilities as a supervisor, Bureau...

Dear Bureau Pat,

Is it legal to insist that a witness or tape recorder is present in a meeting between my boss and I? Can I refuse the meeting if he says "no"? Or is there policy or law that I can show him to prove that I may or may not have this right? Thanks for the help.

Dear Third Party,

The days of smuggling in an awkward unreliable tape recorders are over and the equipment you might consider has now been replaced by sleek cell phones and other digital recording device these days, making the prospect of surreptitiously recording your wacky boss's ranting a lot more appealing. BureauPat has known several staff who have recorded conversations at work without the other party having knowledge of it, which does not violate Federal law. However, many states have laws which...

Dear Bureau Pat, After years of working in the field for a federal agency, I now work at headquarters in DC. Tomorrow I'm going to "the Hill" for the first time and must admit that I feel those "first-day-of-school" butterflies to a degree I haven't in years. Are my nerves justified or overblown? What should I expect?

Dear Politico,

Keep well clothed, avoid bathroom stall foot tapping, and don't accept any "free" vacations or meals from strangers and you should be OK. Welcome to the beltway!

Feeling nervous in a new situation is to be expected. Unfortunately, in this new situation you will learn that the nasty hand of politics is always in play. As I'm sure you realize, you are now dealing with the Big Kahunas who not only have a direct affect...

Dear Bureau Pat, I was in a meeting today and I overheard my GS-15 boss say he had an FEI moment? Most of us looked at him cluelessly, but his SES boss and another GS-15 both nodded knowingly. I've heard of the Federal Executive Institute (FEI), but what does this expression mean?

Dear Fascinated,

Your boss is a member of the elite federal club of Federal Executive Institute (FEI) graduates and was indicating that with the FEI version of a secret handshake. Don't expect him to explain it to you lowly serfs. Luckily, Bureau Pat is willing to spill the beans.

FEI was established in 1968 by President Lyndon B. Johnson, who recognized the critical importance to increase the capacity of top civil service executives and professionals within the federal government. FEI is located at Charlottesville...

Dear Bureau Pat,

I'm a hard working federal employee and expecting my first child. Unfortunately, I've had a tough time and at 20 weeks I've been placed on bed rest to prevent early delivery. My doctor says the only limitations I have are continuous movement. I really don't want to use up all my leave before the baby is even born, plus I'm going to go crazy without anything to do! Can I work from home?

Dear At Home,

Why would you want to work when you have every excuse to sit at home, eat anything, watch Oprah, and buy unnecessary devices off infomercials? Better yet, take your bed rest to a spa and let a masseuse rub the workaholic right out of you!

Still not with me? Then let's get to the thrust of your question and jump right into things kind of like you did...

Dear Bureau Pat, I've been sick several times this month and my supervisor is asking for a doctor's note. I feel like I'm being punished. What makes my supervisor think he can do this?

Dear Sicko,

From your question, I can't tell if your supervisor is out of line or if you might be abusing sick leave to combat a recurring case of the "Mondays."

The first thing that may surprise you is that you do not have the right to take sick leave whenever you feel like it. Whether you are an employee in the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), sick leave may be granted by the supervisor for absences for illness, injury, medical or psychological appointments and/or treatment, adoption of a child, or certain circumstances...

Dear Bureau Pat:

In 2005, the CIA clearly felt that their interrogation procedures might be subject to scrutiny. Under what circumstances would the CIA be required to submit tapes of their interrogations of terror suspects? Who would have the authority to request this confidential information and how would they go about mandating it?

Dear Watchdog, Your question(s) have been under investigation by two oversight committees within Congress and, because these questions are of a sensitive nature and addressed in closed hearings where the public and the media are not allowed access, we may never have all the answers. These committees are:

1. The Select Committee on Intelligence, led by Chairman Jay Rockefeller, who, among other duties, provides vigilant legislative oversight into the intelligence...

Dear Bureau Pat,

I have a new staff member joining my team next week, what should I do to ensure a warm welcome?

Dear Welcome Wagon,

Were it the 1970's, I'd say welcome them in with a Bloody Mary, a pack of smokes, and a pair of huge sunglasses. But alas, those days are over, although the super shades have regrettably reemerged as fashionable masks.

In my experience, welcomes may vary from a surly hello and total immersion into work the first day, to a thoughtful card and a plant - just make sure they have an office near a window or you'll be perceived as a cruel prankster.

It doesn't take a consultant or a think tank to understand the value of effectively integrating new employees into the workplace. This integration should boost employee performance and possibly...

Dear Bureau Pat:

I recently moved into a manager position and have had the fortune to work with some competent, some adept, and even some exceptional staff members. Recently, one of those exceptional staff members stepped up to execute with great outcomes a project that required extra hours and attention. I will definitely note this in her annual performance appraisal, but that is months away and I think she deserves recognition now. What can I do?



Dear Thoughtful:

While it may be fun to play bad cop and discipline employees, providing recognition for good work is the sign of a good manager. And, studies have shown that recognition is a key factor in employee satisfaction that correlates with higher employee retention, customer satisfaction, and productivity.

Federal managers often...

Dear Bureau Pat:

I have heard a rumor that a poor performer under my supervision may resign. I am a new supervisor and this would be the first resignation of one of my employees , while I am not new to government I have heard stories about such situations not going smoothly . Should I be worried? Can you give me any advice to make sure things go well?

Dear Lucky Bastard:

Typically, the voluntary resignation of a poor performer is a supervisor's ultimate fantasy. Were this the private sector, my advice would be to hit an early happy hour with the employees you like and buy everyone a shot in celebration of this tax drain's departure. But this is government and things aren't so cut and dry. Bureau Pat has learned some valuable lessons that should be passed down.

Before we...