In an era of sequestration and potential government shutdowns, it’s more important than ever for agencies to understand the concerns of their workforce — and vice versa. And, ideally before unions and management sit down for formal bargaining. In the spirit of “problem resolution,” the National Council on Federal Labor Management Relations is developing some tools to help labor representatives and managers do just that. Julia Akins Clark is general counsel at the Federal Labor Relations Authority, one of the key players in the labor relations council.

The numbers don’t lie — federal employees apparently think the Thrift Savings Plan is a pretty good deal. Federal News Radio Senior Correspondent Mike Causey has been looking at the average value of TSP accounts. He tells Jared Serbu it’s edging toward the six-figure mark.

The annual performance plan is out for the Inspector General’s Office at the Department of Homeland Security. It includes a priority pyramid that maps out the biggest areas of concern for the IG. Carl Mann, chief operating officer for the DHS OIG, says there are three different sets of priorities on the pyramid.

Congress is getting back in the groove now the shutdown is over. Several potential areas of negotiation and compromise are on the table, first and foremost, haggling over a deal to head off another government shutdown.

A new management initiative at the Homeland Security Department aims to turn data into decision-making power. DHS plans to officially launch the Management Cube in early 2014.