Today I put someone on indefinite suspension w/o pay, to be terminated upon the likely conviction for a felony in his state. I did this because their name and charge has been published in the local paper in the area they work. We are allowed to suspend w/o pay in this case.
Usually I am opposed to the imposition of sanctions before a conviction is received, being raised with the old-fasioned concept of 'innocent until proven guilty.' I have been vocal and active in favor of the employees in many cases relating to many charges. This is the second time I have fallen on the side of punishing before conviction.
Technically it's not a punishment, it's a move for the 'efficiency of the service.' As Federal workers, we are held to higher standards than the public. We have higher demands, tougher obligations, less rights. It is easy to understand why you would want someone not to be working amongst the people who pay the employee's salary with their tax dollars, if the employee is known to be facing trial for a high-profile crime. This is the reason the law permits us to act as such. I am also subject to these regulations.
As an aside, if you're almost 40 and going to profess your love and physical affections for a 12-year old girl, you might not want to do it in writing. Even in a rural state, that crime is called "Child Molestation" and for that crime I am happy to remove an employee from duty.
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