As the early heat wave continues in large sections of the nation, many federal workers are learning the naked truth about some of their very hot co-workers. Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says that in many cases, they don't like what they are seeing.
Furloughs have hit half the federal workforce, and the financial impact has been hard on many of them. But for many members of the federal family, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says, the worst may be yet to come — things like layoffs and cutbacks in the federal retirement and health insurance programs in the new fiscal year.
The Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund is receiving more requests for loans than ever before as weekly furloughs hit the Defense Department. Director Steve Bauer said the non-profit organization is doing everything it can to keep up. July 24 & 30, 2013
When disaster strikes areas populated by federal workers, a mystery man with a suitcase full of cash usually shows up the next day. Some of the money comes from people like you, but there are also big-time corporations that write some very big checks. Senior Correspondent Mike Causey asks: Who are they, and why are they doing it?
What if we found out that instead of saving millions of dollars through furloughs and sequestration cuts, the actions were actually costing the government and the taxpayers billions of dollars? Senior Correspondent Mike Causey wants to know: At this rate, how much longer can we afford to save?
Is there a guy in your carpool who, because of the heat, is wearing TMI short shorts that are way too short? Does the gang at the office look like they collided with a unisex clothes line? Maybe it's the heat, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says. So, how hot is it in your office?
Are the media -- people like us -- paying too much attention to the reality of furloughs and the possibility of layoffs in the federal workforce? At what point does the constant reporting fall into the category of beating a dead horse? Or is this one still worth tracking. You tell us, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.
All of a sudden, things are looking up. The IRS has canceled at least one planned furlough day and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has scrubbed round two of its tough furlough policy. So what's not to like? Some feds say the reason the silver lining is so bright is that it is framed by a very large, very dark cloud, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.
NTEU President Colleen M. Kelley applauded IRS' decision to cancel its July 22 furlough day, but she says that's not enough. July 17, 2013
Senior Correspondent Mike Causey wants to know: Just how paranoid are you? Do you think NASA faked the Moon landings? Just who is really buried in Grant's tomb? And is sequestration a giant political mistake or a clever plan to shrink the bureaucracy and defang the IRS?
Extended pay freeze. Furloughs. Can it get any worse? In a word: Yes! Check out Senior Correspondent Mike Causey's column for more.
Here's a horrible thought to start off your week, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says. You've had your pay frozen and maybe you have been furloughed with more mandatory time-outs to come. But what if these are the good old days right now? That it can't get any better than this...
Although its not the dreaded Friday the 13th, many feds - from Defense to the IRS — are licking their financial wounds, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says. IRS employees had a furlough day last Friday. Defense folks began theirs on Monday. So what about a no-work-no-pay plan for Congress and the White House?
You don't have to be popping 50-plus vitamins or checking out the early-bird dinner special to be excited by the government's new phased retirement program, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says. It has some potential benefits for both beginning feds and people in mid-career too.
Federal benefits expert Bob Braunstein will answer your questions about phased retirment. July 10, 2013