The Herndon Town Council is toying with the idea of rezoning several offices on Herndon Parkway in an effort to address a long-standing policy conundrum: the town’s lack of affordable or workforce housing.
Councilmember Cesar del Aguila suggested at a work session on Sept. 3 that the council should actively explore whether it is legally and logistically possible to rezone several areas along Herndon Parkway between Elden and Spring streets from office uses to mixed-use.
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This is a sponsored column by attorneys John Berry and Kimberly Berry of Berry & Berry, PLLC, an employment and labor law firm located in Northern Virginia that specializes in federal employee, security clearance, retirement and private sector employee matters.
By Melissa L. Watkins, Esq.
When someone performs uniformed military service, certain protections are granted when it comes to their seeking and performance of civilian federal employment. Two important sources of protection for veterans are the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) and Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA).
What is the USERRA?
USERRA is a federal law that protects military service members and veterans from employment discrimination on the basis of their service, allows them to regain their civilian jobs following a period of uniformed service, and ensures that they are not disadvantaged in their civilian careers because of their military service.
What is VEOA?
VEOA is a federal law that provides certain federal employees and applicants with a means of redress in the event that a federal executive agency violates the employee’s or applicant’s veterans’ preference rights. The Office of Personnel Management’s VetGuide provides a comprehensive list of campaigns and expeditions which qualify for veterans’ preference and insight on the types of veterans’ preference.
How to File an USERRA or VEOA Claim
A federal employee claiming a violation of USERRA may file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), who will investigate the complaint and attempt to resolve the issue. Federal employees who believe their USERRA rights have been violated by an agency may alternatively (and often preferred) file an appeal directly with the MSPB. While there is generally no statute of limitations on USERRA claims, it is important to file them as soon as possible because those filed more recently will generally be viewed more credibly.
Under VEOA, before an individual can file a VEOA appeal with the MSPB, she/he must first file a complaint with the Secretary of Labor. After filing a complaint with the Secretary of Labor, an individual can pursue the case at the MSPB once 60 days has passed without a decision or within 15 days of receiving written notification from the Secretary of Labor that the Secretary has been unable to resolve the complaint. Unlike with USERRA, there is a deadline for filing a VEOA complaint with the Secretary of Labor. A VEOA complaint must generally be filed with the Secretary of Labor within 60 days of the VEOA violation.
Remedies for USERRA or VEOA Violations
If successful in an MSPB case based on either USERRA or VEOA, the following types of remedies are often available:
Contact Us
Our law firm represents and advises federal employees in USERRA and VEOA appeals. If you need legal assistance regarding an USERRA or VEOA claim or another employment matter, please contact our office at (703) 668-0070 or at www.berrylegal.com to schedule a consultation.
Reston Association has officially launched a website that has been in the works for years.
The new platform was fully redesigned with a more user-friendly interface, the community association announced today (Thursday).
Fairfax County is seeing a rise in food insecurity, with nearly 27% of households struggling to afford enough nutritious food, the Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB) found in its 2024 Hunger Report.
Though food insecurity has increased across all income levels, the sharpest growth has been among middle-income households earning between $100,000 and $150,000 annually. For those families, the cost of living in Fairfax County and rising prices for essentials like housing and food have outpaced wage growth.
D.C. Area to Get More EV Charging Stations — “A few dozen electric vehicle charging stations are coming into disadvantaged communities in Maryland and Virginia, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments announced.” Fairfax County and city will benefit from the nearly $4 million grant awarded to COG by the Federal Highway Administration. [WTOP]
Virginia Shares Respiratory Illness Data — “Tuesday, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) launched a new Respiratory Illness Dashboard, which replaces several older dashboards. This dashboard provides key insights into respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, influenza (flu), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).” [VDH]
West Falls Development Prepares for Residents — “Phase One of the West Falls Development Project…is nearing completion,” developer Hoffman & Associates shared on Monday (Sept. 9). An apartment building has begun accepting tenant applications, while a condo building “celebrated a grand opening on Sunday after its condos went on sale in March.” [ARLnow]
Deer Management Debate Emerges in Vienna — Vienna Town Council member Charles Anderson suggested exploring ways to control invasive species, including deer, in the town’s monthly newsletter. At the council’s meeting on Monday (Sept. 9), he said he was surprised to receive “15 or so e-mails” in response, and some residents shared their opinions. [Gazette Leader]
FCPS Releases Family Survey Results — “The results of FCPS’ Family Engagement Survey are now available. A key finding showed that 92% of respondents say they ‘feel welcome’ at their child’s school, an increase from 89% in the 2021-22 survey…Thank you to the more than 26,000 parents and guardians who participated!” [FCPS]
FCPD Hosts Mental Health Conference — “The Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) hosted a Public Safety Suicide Prevention Conference, drawing over 130 first responders from across the National Capital area. Held on World Suicide Prevention Day, the event highlighted the importance of mental health support for those on the front lines of public safety.” [FCPD]
Celebrate Moon Festival at Oakton Library — “Celebrate the Mid Autumn Festival (The Moon Festival) with Oakton library! Listen to stories and learn some unique Taiwan Moon Festival traditions. There will also be crafts and activities to celebrate the Moon.” The event will take place this Saturday (Sept. 14) from 3-5 p.m. [Fairfax County Public Library]
It’s Thursday — Patchy fog will clear by 9am, making way for a mostly sunny day and a high near 81, accompanied by an east wind of 3 to 8 mph. Thursday night will be partly cloudy as temperatures drop to around 63, with the southeast wind blowing at 3 to 6 mph. [NWS]
A now-annual event featuring craft beers and bouquet-making returns to Halley Rise in Reston this weekend.
The second annual “Beer in the Garden” will bring beer from Lost Rhino Brewing Company, barbecue, live music and floral bouquets to the development on Saturday (Sept. 14) from noon to 3 p.m.
By JIM MUSTIAN and JOSHUA GOODMAN Associated Press
LEESBURG, Va. (AP) — At an impromptu party in the office to celebrate his 50th birthday, a veteran CIA officer got drunk, reached up a colleague’s skirt and forcibly kissed her in front of stunned co-workers, prosecutors alleged in the latest case of sexual misconduct to spill from the spy agency into a public court.
Fairfax County will review its property deeds to remove clauses that historically barred non-Caucasian individuals from owning or leasing property in specific neighborhoods.
In response to new research revealing the prevalence of racially restrictive covenants in Northern Virginia property deeds, the Board of Supervisors, led by Dan Storck and Rodney Lusk, unanimously approved a board matter yesterday (Tuesday) to allocate resources for eliminating any segregation-era language from county-owned property deeds and assisting private property owners in doing the same.
Written By: Synergy Design & Construction
Hybrid work environments have become increasingly popular and with back-to-school season here, many working parents are once again having to navigate the challenges of crazy schedules and managing their work-life balance.
In today’s blog, we’ll explore some ways you can keep work and life separate through a well-designed and functional home office.
The Importance of a Dedicated Home Office Space
Imagine this: No more kids running around your feet while you’re answering emails at the kitchen table or having to turn your bedroom into a makeshift conference room at the last minute.
Your home office will become a sanctuary of productivity, fostering creativity and helping you get things done without distractions. Once you step outside, that is your family space, a clear boundary between work and personal life.
The clear distinction not only benefits you but also the family, creating a work-life balance that is at times hard to achieve when working from home.
Designing a Home Office You’ll Love
Picking the perfect spot: Consider privacy, lighting, and noise level when choosing your workspace. Opt for a place with low foot traffic to keep distractions at bay, natural lighting for video calls, and minimal noise for meetings.
Ergonomic furniture and equipment: Ergonomic furniture and adjustable equipment can improve your posture and overall comfort throughout the workday.
Personalize your space: Make the space your own! You get to choose the colors that uplift you, which beautiful artwork to display, and your favorite plants to create a soothing atmosphere. The possibilities are endless.
Prioritizing Productivity and Comfort
Lighting and ambiance: The right lighting can positively impact your mood and productivity. For a workspace, we recommend using natural light when possible, as it has a strong impact on emotional well-being. Cool-toned lighting can have a similar effect.
Technology and connectivity: Splurging on technology needed for work, such as a quality monitor, can go a long way in boosting productivity. Just make sure you have a strong internet connection to go along with it!
Maintaining a Healthy Work-Life Balance
Avoid burnout: Make sure you are taking breaks and finding ways to stay active while you work. Adding a yoga mat or exercise ball to your office can help you stay physically and mentally alert. Standing desks with a treadmill are also a great option that has been trending lately.
Setting boundaries: Just because you are working from home doesn’t mean you always have to be working. Even though we want you to love your office space, there comes a time to leave it!
Craft Your Ideal Home Office with Synergy
For parents who work hybrid, separating your home and work life can be challenging, especially when you have little ones and a back-to-school season to manage. That is why having a designated workspace that is comfortable and uniquely yours is so important.
Synergy is here to help you design the perfect functional home office. Contact us today to get started!
