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Author Topic: Well this is new, or "We're going to enforce the Hatch Act now?"  (Read 944 times)

dogmush

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Well this is new, or "We're going to enforce the Hatch Act now?"
« on: July 27, 2018, 05:41:42 PM »
As some of you might know, I work for the federal government, and have for some years.  Today I got the following e-mail:  (Names and links removed)

Quote
Subject: CPMM 18-119 Notice that Hatch Act Restrictions are triggered
 
USARC Civilian Personnel Management Message (CPMM) 18-119
 
SUBJECT:  Notice that Hatch Act Restrictions are triggered
 
1.  PURPOSE:  To inform employees on Hatch Act Restrictions are triggered
due to President Trump's recent announcement that he will seek reelection.
 
2.  REFERENCES: The Office of Special Counsel statement can be found at:
link to pdf (attached)
 
3.  BACKGROUND:  The Office of Special Counsel has issued guidance that
since President Trump officially announced his candidacy for reelection,
Hatch Act prohibitions
apply.  "For example, while on duty or in the workplace, employees may not:
wear, display, or distribute items with the slogan "Make America Great
Again" or any other materials from President Trump's 2016 or 2020 campaigns;
use hashtags such as #MAGA or #Resist Trump in social media posts or other
forums; or display non-official pictures of President Trump."  This also
applies to any individual who may announce their candidacy for the Office of
the President of the United States.
 
5.  POINT OF CONTACT:

I have no memory of getting an e-mail like this previously, and certainly not picking out hashtags to not use.  I can only assume that it's the result of so many folks being unprofessional in 2016.  I have to assume that you can't do it on your personal social media if you facebook/whatnot from the office, or ID yourself as a federal employee on the media.

I wonder if having a smartphone ping social media from your pocket/purse while at work counts as "in the workplace".

I'm not super concerned, but some of my co-workers are going to run afoul of this.
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Ben

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Re: Well this is new, or "We're going to enforce the Hatch Act now?"
« Reply #1 on: July 27, 2018, 06:00:29 PM »
I don't ever remember seeing an email like that. I recall we always got a department-wide Hatch Act email before any major election cycle, but it was pretty general "reminder" language.

It's pretty interesting that they are "naming names" here. I remember a lot of Bush hate, but never recall his name being specifically mentioned as an example, and certainly never saw anything specific about "pro-Obama" stuff during that administration's time (and I saw lots of pro-Obama stuff on people and in cubicles and offices).
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Brad Johnson

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Re: Well this is new, or "We're going to enforce the Hatch Act now?"
« Reply #2 on: July 27, 2018, 06:00:46 PM »
I see Hatch and I think green chilis.

Brad
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freakazoid

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Re: Well this is new, or "We're going to enforce the Hatch Act now?"
« Reply #3 on: July 27, 2018, 10:49:20 PM »
Quote from: Ben on July 27, 2018, 06:00:29 PM
I don't ever remember seeing an email like that. I recall we always got a department-wide Hatch Act email before any major election cycle, but it was pretty general "reminder" language.

It's pretty interesting that they are "naming names" here. I remember a lot of Bush hate, but never recall his name being specifically mentioned as an example, and certainly never saw anything specific about "pro-Obama" stuff during that administration's time (and I saw lots of pro-Obama stuff on people and in cubicles and offices).

This is what I saw too. Just general language, nothing specific.
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Scout26

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Re: Well this is new, or "We're going to enforce the Hatch Act now?"
« Reply #4 on: July 27, 2018, 11:31:01 PM »
So wallpaper your office with official Trump portraits.

 =D =D =D =D
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French G.

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Re: Well this is new, or "We're going to enforce the Hatch Act now?"
« Reply #5 on: July 27, 2018, 11:31:15 PM »
I had to walk by Obama's picture for eight years, there ought to be an act against that.
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Pb

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Re: Well this is new, or "We're going to enforce the Hatch Act now?"
« Reply #6 on: July 28, 2018, 12:27:41 PM »
Quote from: Amy Schumer on July 27, 2018, 11:31:01 PM
So wallpaper your office with official Trump portraits.

 =D =D =D =D

 :laugh:
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HankB

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Re: Well this is new, or "We're going to enforce the Hatch Act now?"
« Reply #7 on: July 28, 2018, 08:43:25 PM »
Quote from: French G. on July 27, 2018, 11:31:15 PM
I had to walk by Obama's picture for eight years, there ought to be an act against that.
Hmmm . . . how would I deal with having to walk within spitting distance of BHO's picture . . . >:D
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Pb

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Re: Well this is new, or "We're going to enforce the Hatch Act now?"
« Reply #8 on: July 30, 2018, 10:01:32 AM »
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