Workforce Rights/Governance
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In today's Federal Newscast: A policy change dramatically boosts workers' comp acceptance rates for federal firefighters with heart problems and certain cancers. The Veterans Benefits Administration continues its hiring spree to handle a record workload. And HUD's Inspector General has her sights set on environmental justice.
March 22, 2023 -
In today's Federal Newscast: OPM gives agencies an extension to waive certain leave policies for essential federal workers. The Defense Department has started a new working group to implement its suicide prevention policies. And comments on a new shared services framework are due this week.
March 20, 2023 -
DoD has about 15,000 people completely dedicated to finding and recruiting future members of the military. For its civilian workforce, there are almost none.
March 20, 2023 -
In a recent decision, the Merit Systems Protection Board confirmed that people are covered by the Whistleblower Protection Act, even if they blew the whistle before applying for a federal job. The board disagreed with a federal court, but upheld the board's own precedent.
March 16, 2023 -
The House Oversight and Accountability Committee pressed Office of Personnel Management Director Kiran Ahuja on federal telework, hiring process reforms, the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, the retirement case backlog and much more.
March 10, 2023 -
Critics of telework often point to its limitations on collaboration. Video meetings have replaced the conference table for millions of teleworkers, but they can be annoying. Earlier, Tom Temin spoke with the D.C. deputy mayor, who outlined why the city wants federal employees to come back or have the government let go of some of its real estate.
March 09, 2023 -
The Mayor of the District of Columbia recently urged the federal government to get its people back in their offices or give up millions of square feet. The city has ambitious economic goals that could, in its view, make better use of the space.
March 09, 2023 -
The Office of Personnel Management launches a five-pronged strategy aiming to help agencies better adapt to the increasing prevalence of hybrid work for the federal workforce.
March 08, 2023 -
A host of bills lawmakers reintroduced this week would impact retirement savings for federal fighters and federal law enforcement officers, as well as offer feds a grace period for payment obligations during a government shutdown or debt default.
March 03, 2023 -
In today's Federal Newscast: Reports from government employees of race, sex and age discrimination are on the decline. New legislation would create tax benefits for businesses that hire military spouses. And the Air Force liberalizes its tattoo policy.
March 03, 2023 -
OPM said the holdup on issuing final regulations is due to a conflict with rest and recuperation leave, but proponents of the legislation voiced frustrations with the years-long delay.
February 10, 2023 -
The Comprehensive Paid Leave for Federal Employees Act would give feds 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave, essentially replacing the 12 weeks of unpaid leave offered through the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
February 08, 2023 -
DoD civilians in Japan say they've lost any meaningful access to on-base healthcare over the last several months, and can't get it from Japanese providers. Defense officials say they're examining the problem, but have to prioritize active duty members for limited medical appointments.
February 06, 2023 -
The House is planning a floor vote for the SHOW UP Act, a Republican-led bill that would return the federal workforce to pre-pandemic office arrangements.
January 30, 2023 -
The U.S. Postal Service, like many agencies, has to deal with sexual harassment complaints. According to the Postal Inspector General, while USPS handles them fairly well, it lacks data on how extensive the problem might be.
January 25, 2023