Blog | Bell Law Group

What Are the Qualifying Conditions for OPM Disability Retirement?

Many federal employees ask our attorneys for a list of medical conditions that are eligible for federal disability retirement. There is no list per se, but you may qualify for federal disability retirement if you’ve been diagnosed with: Cancer ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) Serious back or spine problems Cognitive health disorders Vision impairment Hearing impairment Autoimmune diseases Conditions that affect the cardiovascular, respiratory, and musculoskeletal systems Certain mental health conditions (e.g., bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD) Yet you need more than a diagnosis for the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). The health issue must impact your ability to do your job.

Wage & Hour: Misclassified Employees 1099 vs. W-2

With the current job market, more people are turning to gig work and contracting to make ends meet. Being a freelancer or independent contractor can be rewarding, but it’s also a challenge that requires a lot of diligence. Some employers take advantage of their contractors because they know people are looking for work.

Federal Employee vs. State Employee: Why the Difference Matters

Federal workers and state workers have different benefits, legal protections, and processes to follow if they face disciplinary actions. If you’re a public servant in New York who’s been fired for whistleblowing, for example, you have to consider different actions compared to a career employee at a federal agency. Our federal employee rights lawyers can help make sense of your legal options.

How to Calculate FERS Retirement

Navigating the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) can be challenging. Many workers have reached out to our law firm wondering how their annuities are calculated, what factors are important, and what could lead to a reduction or deduction in retirement benefits. Our federal employee rights attorneys would like to go over some of the basics when calculating FERS retirement benefits.

Tip Theft and Tip-Sharing Violations

Tips can make all the difference if you work in food or hospitality. Countless servers, food runners, baristas, bartenders, hotel workers, and salon workers rely on tips to help pay for essentials. Unfortunately, management and business owners can abuse their power to illegally take tips or pocket a percentage of tips from food and hospitality workers.

Overtime Violations for Salaried Workers

The job market can be precarious right now, which has caused many salaried workers to go the extra mile to avoid getting laid off. This includes putting in more than 40 hours a week and working on weekends or during vacation. Yet here’s something that many salaried workers don’t realize: they may be eligible for overtime even though they have a salary.