Workforce

• The terror attacks in Paris

  Fred Burton, vice president of Intelligence for Strator, tells us what he knows about the terrorist attacks in Paris, and what the United States can do to avoid similar attacks in the future. January 23, 2015

  Fed Access

  January 23, 2015
• Law enforcement fatality trends

  Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association Acting President Nate Catura, and Steve Groeninger, senior director of Communications and Marketing for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, discuss the preliminary law enforcement fatality statistics for 2014. January 23, 2015

  FEDtalk

  January 23, 2015
• Contracting whistleblowers may get new channel to report wrongdoings

  The Office of Special Counsel has proposed a rule change that would allow federal contractors and grantees a new channel to report wrongdoings at federal agencies.

  Management

  January 23, 2015
• House bill would reduce SES pensions at VA

  House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Jeff Miller wants new ways to punish SES members accused of misconduct, including possible pension reductions, limits on paid leave. He also wants to curtail VA's bonus award system.

  Congress

  January 23, 2015
• Contracting officers not given tools, support to take risks, be innovative

  A new survey by the Professional Services Council and Grant Thornton reveals the shifting demographics of the acquisition workforce gives the administration an opportunity to change the culture of how the government buys goods and services. From training, to hiring, to creating a path for better collaboration, the acquisition workforce could undergo a major transformation with the right support and focus, experts say.

  Management

  January 23, 2015
• The truth about the federal hiring process

  Do federal managers know who they want to hire before even posting a job? Do they rig the process to the benefit of their candidate? And, is it worth it to even apply for a job at an agency given these barriers? Former federal HR exec Jeff Neal offers his candid advice based on his 33 years of experience.

  Commentary

  January 23, 2015
• Gridlock and your pension package!

  Is congressional gridlock really a bad thing? Maybe not if you're a federal employee or retiree, says Senior Correspondent Mike Causey.

  Mike Causey

  January 23, 2015
• DoD intel chief Vickers gives cyber premier priority status

  Michael Vickers, the undersecretary of Defense for intelligence, said cybersecurity and terrorism are his top two short- and long-term concerns. He said protecting space-based systems is becoming more important than ever. Vickers also wants to continue to transform the military intelligence community to meet ever-changing threats.

  Defense

  January 22, 2015
• Obama taps longtime aide to replace Podesta in senior role

  President Barack Obama has chosen Brian Deese, a veteran White House aide and a deputy director in his budget office, to replace John Podesta as a senior adviser and presidential whisperer, White House officials said Wednesday.

  Management

  January 21, 2015
• Fearless forecast

  NARFE Legislative Director Jessica Klement and Federal Times Senior Writer Andy Medici will predict what's ahead for federal workers and retirees in 2015. January 21, 2015

  Mike Causey

  January 21, 2015
• House bills slash federal workforce, start possible hiring freeze

  A collection of new House bills aim to slash the federal workforce, let go of 120,000 civilian employees at the Pentagon and take back top secret security clearances for contractors in the intelligence community.

  Congress

  January 21, 2015
• Supreme Court decision helps clarify whistleblower protections

  The Supreme Court upheld an appeals court's decision that Robert MacLean is eligible for whistleblower protection. The TSA fired the former air marshal for leaking information to the media.

  Management

  January 21, 2015
• Don’t ask GSA how many full-time teleworkers it has – it doesn’t know

  An inspector general audit slams the General Services Administration's telework program. It says the agency poorly tracked employees who work outside the office and the costs they incurred.

  Management

  January 21, 2015
• New sick leave plan may spotlight fed benefits

  Many federal workers probably wonder what's the fuss about giving people seven days of sick leave per year. That's because Uncle Sam has long been ahead of his time when it comes to things like a generous leave package for workers, says Senior Correspondent Mike Causey.

  Mike Causey

  January 21, 2015