A report by the Federal Judicial Center and the National Academy of Public Administration has revealed widespread inconsistencies in the application of the Model Employment Dispute Resolution Plan across the federal judiciary. This plan was designed to enhance the reporting and handling of workplace misconduct but has faced challenges due to the unique power dynamics between judges and law clerks. Despite improvements, many clerks still hesitate to report misconduct due to fears of jeopardizing future career prospects. The report suggests implementing advisory groups, exit interviews, and better educational programming to address these issues. This comes amid broader scrutiny after a recent high-profile resignation over misconduct and criticisms of the judiciary's failure to comply fully with an external audit.
See "Workplace Misconduct Practices Vary by Court, Report Finds", Suzanne Monyak, Bloomberg Law , July 19, 2024