Federal Employee Back Pay

Summary

Federal employees suspended pending investigation generally do not receive back pay if they quit. Exceptions exist if found not guilty or if suspension was unjust. Consult a labor law attorney.

Full Conversation

I work for the united states government and failed a random drug test in February for marijuana. I was suspended without pay pending the outcome of an investigation. The investigation took six months and then they asked me to come back to work. If I quit, can I receive back pay for the time they took for the investigation?
Hello Danielle, the general rule is that federal employees who are suspended pending an investigation are not entitled to back pay if they quit. However, there are exceptions:
- If you were found not guilty.
- If the suspension was unjust or excessive.
Each case is unique, and it's crucial to speak with a labor law attorney for precise guidance.