{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"225. Merit Protections and Small Business Relationships at Risk? Breaking Down the New Schedule P\/C","description":"A major shift in federal workforce policy just became final \u2014 and its implications reach far beyond HR paperwork. Audrey Roofeh, founder of Integrity Matters, joins FedUpward to unpack the newly finalized Schedule P\/C rule from the Office of Personnel Management. The rule creates a new category of federal employees who no longer have traditional civil service tenure protections \u2014 expanding the number of \u201cat-will\u201d positions across government. Learn more about the policy  here. But the ripple effects don\u2019t stop there. Audrey explains how Schedule P\/C could dramatically expand who qualifies as a \u201ccovered branch official\u201d under the  Lobbying Disclosure Act \u2014 potentially requiring small businesses, consultants, and government contractors to register as lobbyists simply for communicating with certain federal employees about contracts, grants, permits, or loans. Together, they discuss:   How Schedule P\/C differs from Schedule F   Why civil service protections exist in the first place   What it means to lose Merit Systems Protection Board appeal rights   How businesses may face new lobbying registration burdens   Why this change could create a chilling effect within federal agencies   Whether you\u2019re a federal employee, government contractor, consultant, or small business owner working with the federal government, this conversation breaks down what\u2019s happening \u2014 and why it matters now. Learn more about Integrity Matters here: https:\/\/integritymatters.org\/&amp;nbsp; Connect with Love:   Coaching: https:\/\/www.fedupwardcoaching.com\/&amp;nbsp;   LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com\/in\/love-rutledge   Facebook: facebook.com\/fedupward   The FedUpward Podcast gives federal employees and friends of feds strategies and tips for navigating everyday problems. This is a place for federal employees to network, share ideas and get better. Don't get fed up. Get FedUpward! &amp;nbsp; ","author_name":"FedUpward Podcast - Tips for Federal Government Employees","author_url":"http:\/\/fedupward.libsyn.com\/website","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/40150880\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/yes\/direction\/forward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/88AA3C\/\" height=\"90\" width=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\"  allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen><\/iframe>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/item\/40150880"}