The Social Security Administration’s headquarters campus in Woodlawn is one of the largest federal workplaces in Maryland, and its employees have seen a great deal of change in recent years. Staffing reductions, new office attendance rules, and constant pressure to process claims all create conditions where workplace disputes arise. A Maryland federal employee attorney who works with SSA staff sees the same issues come up again and again. Below are six of the most common, what the law says about each, and five Maryland firms that represent employees in these situations.
What employment issues do SSA employees in Woodlawn face?
1. What happens if you are told your performance is unacceptable?
An unacceptable rating on a critical element usually leads to a performance improvement plan, which federal rules call an opportunity to demonstrate acceptable performance. Under Chapter 43 of Title 5, an agency can propose demotion or removal if you do not improve during that period. Keep a log of assignments, deadlines, and the support you were or were not given, since a fair opportunity is a legal requirement.
2. Can SSA require you to return to the office?
Generally, yes. A January 2025 presidential memorandum directed federal agencies to return employees to full-time in-person work, and many telework arrangements ended as a result. Telework can still be a reasonable accommodation under the Rehabilitation Act for a qualified employee with a disability. If you need it for medical reasons, request it in writing as an accommodation and include supporting documentation.
3. What rights do you have during workforce reductions?
SSA announced plans in 2025 to reduce its workforce, and reductions in force, often called RIFs, follow strict rules. Retention is based on tenure, veterans’ preference, length of service, and performance ratings. Employees who believe the agency miscalculated their service date or placed them in the wrong competitive level can appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board. A directed reassignment to another location is a separate action, and refusing one can lead to removal, so get advice before declining.
4. Can looking up a record get you disciplined?
Yes. SSA employees have access to sensitive personal information, and querying a record without a business need, even out of curiosity about a friend or family member, can lead to serious discipline under agency policy and the Privacy Act. If you are accused of unauthorized access, do not explain it away informally. Ask for the specific allegation in writing first.
5. What should you do if you experience discrimination or are denied accommodation?
Act quickly. Federal employees must contact an EEO counselor within 45 days of a discriminatory act. Title VII, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Rehabilitation Act all apply to SSA, and disputes over denied accommodations are among the most common claims federal employees file.
6. What if your leave is restricted or you are charged with AWOL?
A leave restriction letter, which requires medical documentation for every sick leave request, often comes before charges of AWOL, meaning absence without leave. You may also be entitled to up to 12 weeks of job-protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act after 12 months of federal service. Invoke it in writing, because agencies are not required to guess.
Which Maryland law firms help SSA employees with workplace issues?
- The Mundaca Law Firm
- Pines Federal Employment Attorneys
- HKM Employment Attorneys
- The Law Office of Andrew M. Dansicker
- Kathleen Cahill Law
1. The Mundaca Law Firm: Maryland Federal Employee Attorney
The Mundaca Law Firm is led by Francisco E. Mundaca, Esq., Founding Partner, with a Maryland office at 1997 Annapolis Exchange Parkway, Suite 300, in Annapolis. The firm represents federal workers at agencies across Maryland, including the Social Security Administration, NIH, FDA, NSA, and military installations with civilian workforces.
For SSA employees, its federal practice covers responses to proposed removals, demotions, and suspensions; MSPB appeals; challenges to reductions in force; EEO discrimination and accommodation claims under the Rehabilitation Act; and whistleblower retaliation complaints before the Office of Special Counsel. Consultations are confidential.
2. Pines Federal Employment Attorneys
A Pikesville, Maryland firm focused on federal employment matters.
3. HKM Employment Attorneys
An employment law firm with an office in Baltimore.
4. The Law Office of Andrew M. Dansicker
A Hunt Valley, Maryland office that handles employment law matters.
5. Kathleen Cahill Law
A Towson, Maryland firm whose practice includes employment law.
How can SSA employees protect themselves?
Most of these problems become harder to fix the longer they go unaddressed. Keep copies of appraisals, leave approvals, and accommodation requests, put important requests in writing, and track the 45-day EEO and 30-day MSPB deadlines. When a notice arrives, read it carefully before responding. If you work at SSA and are facing any of these issues, a Maryland federal employee attorney can help you understand your rights and decide on your next step.
This article provides general information and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.
