The Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) issued a final rule to adjust civil monetary penalties (CMPs) for 2021. This adjustment follows the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015, which mandates annual inflation-based updates to penalties. For 2021, the penalties for certain violations are increased to a maximum of $1,125, rounded from a calculated amount based on an inflation multiplier. The adjustments ensure penalties maintain their deterrent effect and will be applied starting February 2, 2021.
Simple Explanation
The government made a new rule to slightly increase the fines people have to pay when they break certain rules, so that the fines still feel like a "big deal" and stop others from breaking the rules too. This change is like using a price tag that keeps up with money getting "less big" over time because things cost more now!