Sep 13, 2026
What does it actually take to remove a federal employee for serious performance or conduct issues—and can the process be improved without sacrificing due process?
We welcome Maureen Klovers of We the Doers back to the FedUpward Podcast to discuss the organization’s new report, “Fast but Fair Federal Firing,” which examines the experiences of federal managers who have navigated the removal process firsthand.
Their research found that removing an employee took an average of 21 months in the cases studied, consuming hundreds of hours of supervisors’ time before accounting for the work of HR, legal teams, unions, and others.
Love and Maureen discuss why those delays matter for high-performing employees, team morale, and agency missions; the inconsistencies between agencies; and why lasting civil service reform may ultimately need to come from Congress rather than executive action.
They also explore We the Doers’ recommendations for creating a clearer, more consistent system that preserves employee due process while giving managers better tools to address genuine performance and conduct problems—and what the organization plans to tackle next.
Learn more about We the Doers and read the report here: https://wethedoers.org/
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/love-rutledge