Pay & Benefits

  • The administration issued new guidance late Wednesday detailing specific steps agencies should take as sequestration now is one-day away. Danny Werfel, OMB's controller, told agency leaders to place "increased scrutiny" around several personnel issues, including new hires, training, travel and conferences.

    February 28, 2013
  • Sequestration is the worst possible thing that could happen to you as a taxpayer and a federal worker or contractor, right? Wrong. Sequestration would take a big bite out of things but the coming crises over agency budgets could turn out to be much, much worse, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.

    February 28, 2013
  • Career expert and author John Grobe, Federal News Radio's Julia Ziegler, and Federal Times senior writer Stephen Losey will discuss sequestration and other issues affecting federal workers. February 27, 2013

    February 27, 2013
  • Remember when you got out of school and had to pick a career? Mother wanted you to play piano in a house of ill repute but you rebelled and became a federal civil servant. So in retrospect who was right: you or Mom? Check out Senior Correspondent Mike Causey's column for more.

    February 27, 2013
  • We've got another week, at least, of hair-pulling news and analysis about sequestration, federal furloughs and the like. So, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey wants to know, is this going to be the bombshell critics claim or as harmless as a burp in church?

    February 26, 2013
  • According to the latest Federal News Radio online poll, a majority of federal workers think sequestration is coming this week, and they are up the creek without a paddle, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says. Just over 40 percent think it will be delayed, again. And 4 percent say it's no big deal. So what do you say? Take our poll today.

    February 25, 2013
  • Daniel Hirsch, state vice president of the American Foreign Service Association, discusses the issues affecting government employees who are working overseas. February 22, 2013

    February 22, 2013
  • Do you remember the good old days? For many federal workers that would be 2010 and 2011 when they were worried about threats to their retirement and health insurance benefits that eventually fizzled and died. Well, they may be coming back but this time things could be very different, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.

    February 22, 2013
  • What if we get sequestered and nothing happens? At least not right away? Senior Correspondent Mike Causey wants to know what if the government, instead of furloughing all FBI agents, TSA screeners, and air traffic controllers on the same day finds a way to muddle through -- at least for awhile.

    February 21, 2013
  • Washington attorney John Mahoney, and Federal Times writers Stephen Losey and Sean Reilly answer your questions about sequestration and furloughs. February 20, 2013

    February 20, 2013
  • If Uncle Sam tried to produce his version of "Fifty Shades of Grey," what would it be like? Would it be an easy and educational read? Senior Correspondent Mike Causey has previewed it and has some suggestions you might want to check out.

    February 20, 2013
  • The next time Congress is in D.C. for an extended period of time, somebody should suggest that the House and the Senate investigate how much time and money has been lost preparing for a partial government shutdown almost everybody says would be a mistake. Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.

    February 19, 2013
  • It's that time of year again, our last pre-spring national holiday honoring William Henry Harrison (and about 40 of his fellow presidents). So what makes him so great? For one thing he never sequestered anybody, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.

    February 18, 2013
  • Many federal workers are concerned that the stalemate between Congress and the White House will mean furloughs, and the loss of pay, for them, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says. But a growing number seem to be saying bring it on ... I'll go hiking, camping or do some chores around the house.

    February 15, 2013