Colorado is home to thousands of federal workers and their families. These dedicated, nonpartisan public servants have devoted their careers to bettering our communities and our country.
I hear everyday from members of our federal civil service – park rangers, medical researchers, public health workers, and more – who are confronting chaos and confusion sown by the Trump Administration as he seeks to undermine the people who run our government. I am outraged by these attacks on the federal workforce, and I am committed to using every tool at my disposal to protect Colorado’s patriotic federal workers.
I have repeatedly spoken out against the Trump Administration’s efforts to target federal workers and will continue to advocate for the civil servants who provide crucial services like health care, child care, and access to our public lands.
If you are a federal worker in Colorado and would like to share your story, click here. If you are a whistleblower and would like to submit a complaint via the Senate Democrats Whistleblower Portal, click here.
Resources for Federal Workers
Know Your Rights
Federal employees have rights and remedies under the law. If you believe you are being targeted for an improper or illegal reason, you should:
- Document everything.
- Seek legal advice, either from an attorney who specializes in federal employee law or from your union.
- File a complaint.
Apply for Unemployment Assistance
If you are a former federal employee who has recently been terminated, you may be eligible for unemployment benefits. Learn more about the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment’s resources for federal workers here.
Find Your Union
Many unions have a national consultation relationship with the Office of Personnel Management and offer resources for navigating union membership and collective organizing rights. Learn more here.
Learn How to File a Complaint with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel
Prohibited personnel practices are employment-related activities that are banned in the federal workforce because they violate the merit system. The Office of the Special Counsel has the authority to investigate and prosecute violations of the prohibited personnel practices including, but not limited to: discrimination, coercing political activity, and whistleblower retaliation.
If you have been subjected by your employer to prohibited personnel practice, you may have a right to file a complaint with the Office of the Special Counsel.
Learn How to File an Appeal with the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board
The Merit Systems Protection Board protects federal merit systems against partisan political and other prohibited personnel practices by adjudicating employee appeals. Learn more about the appeals process and how to file here. Information specifically for probationary employees can be found here.
Learn How to File a Complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
The law protects federal employees and job applicants from discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information. If you are a federal employee, former federal employee, or job applicant for a federal job, and you believe that a federal agency has discriminated against you with regard to employment, you have a right to file a complaint.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this webpage does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice from Senator Bennet. All information, content, and materials available on this page are for general informational purposes only. For legal advice, consult an attorney or if you are in a bargaining unit, consult your union.