Political Activism Thriving in Federal Workforce

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But sometimes the interpretation of good policy can have stifling consequences.

One Energy Department employee needed the extra two hours the congressmen suggested and was willing to take annual leave to get it. Unfortunately, she ran into a bureaucratic interpretation of the rules.

Dave Schoeberlein, president of a National Treasury Employees Union chapter at the department, said the employee was told she could not get 30 minutes of excused time if it was preceded by two hours of vacation.

In an e-mail to Energy officials, Schoeberlein complained about "blind adherence to silly rules even when the decision flies in the face of the intent of the original rule and results in the unintended consequence of creating 'second-class' employees."

Schoeberlein said the employee did not want to be interviewed. Andy Beck, an agency spokesman, said "DOE is following OPM's guidance."

Contact Joe Davidson atfederaldiary@washpost.com.

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