Social Security Administration Revises Threat Rules

Despite threats against employees being on the rise, the Social Security Administration is revising rules to allow those banned from field offices to appeal the decision. Those currently banned from Social Security offices for making threats can only seek services online or by phone, The Washington Post reported.

Under new rules scheduled to go into effect in November, people banned from offices may appeal the decision or send someone to the office in their place. There were nearly 2,800 threats against Social Security workers in 2010, up 43 percent, the Post reported.

Witold Skwierczynski, president of AFGE Council 220, which represents SSA workers, said that last year there were 65 bomb threats, 56 reports of suspicious packages, and 82 reports of assaults against SSA workers. Some 211 concealed weapons were also found on visitors, the Post reported.

Threats against federal employees have increased in recent years. People who are banned from SSA premises are informed in writing, the Post reported.