Dear Bureau Pat,

Why is it that Transportation Security Administration screeners at airports are staffing a special line for first-class and business-class travelers? We all pay taxes to fund the government (including the TSA). What business does the government have using its resources to red-carpet first-class passengers? Aren't we who have to travel coach insulted enough by the whole process of air travel these days?

Weary Traveler,

I hate to say you get what you pay for, but, in this case, you kind of do.

You're correct in that everybody pays taxes to help fund the TSA - except for those with teams of tax attorneys and offshore accounts, of course. But your gripe with the special lines for those "red-carpet first-class passengers" should actually be directed toward...

Dear Bureau Pat,

I recently competed for a merit promotion within the division office in which I currently work. A higher-ranking administrator within our office gave me an explanation as to why I wasn't offered an interview for the position. The person stated "these type of positions are usually reserved for people who are moving up in the leadership of the organization," i.e. those willing to eventually move outside the State, which this person assumed I was not. Is this practice considered discriminatory or just stupid and, of course, unfair?

Dear Misconstrued,

Your question is difficult to answer, since I would have to know more information, such as, was this "higher-ranking administrator" the selecting official, a helpful adviser, or just generally an old...

Dear Bureau Pat,

During my interview, the selecting official mentioned the heavy workload and extra hours involved for the position and then asked whether or not I had family obligations that would prevent me from performing the duties. As a result of my response, she hired a single man. Is this a violation of Merit Systems Principles?

Dear Discarded,

Your interviewer must have been born by spontaneous combustion. Otherwise, she'd realize that nearly everyone has at least one family member whose nagging, perpetual phone calls, guilt trips, pets needing care, questions, requests, surprise visits, children, moves, celebrations and death could prevent you from performing your work duties.

While we can never really know the reason the single male candidate was selected - clearly your...

Dear Bureau Pat,

I am a manager of a federal government division and my daughter-in-law has applied for the only analyst vacancy. She's highly qualified and I think she'd be a great fit for the position. Would it be appropriate for me to arrange a meeting with the supervisor of that section to describe her qualifications?

Dear Nepotist,

The times of hiring friends and family members in the federal government is long past. This is due in part to the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. 2302). So unless you are the President and have to meet your obligations to grant political favors, then common sense would suggest "No" is the answer to your question.

However, common sense does not always play within the government, so I’ll take this opportunity to address this...

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...