When you can ask about applicants’ criminal history

The Federal Headlines is a daily compilation of the stories you hear discussed on Federal Drive with Tom Temin.

In today’s Top Federal Headlines, the Office of Personnel Management offers guidance on exceptions to a federal hiring rule.

• Despite a new federal hiring rule, you can rule out some felons early in the process. Last year’s so-called timing of suitability inquiries rule, said hiring managers cannot ask about criminal backgrounds until after candidates get through initial screening. Now OPM issues guidance on exceptions. For instance, if the candidate might have to appear as a witness. Or if the job would require rigorous training. But you need OPM permission before asking if someone did time. (Chief Human Capital Officer Council)

• The Defense Department is transitioning a quarter of a million civilian workers to a new personnel appraisal system. Part of the new beginnings initiative, DoD civilians in the Army, Navy, Air Force and DoD components will see a new three-tiered rating system. Employees can also expect to meet with their supervisors at least three times a year. (Federal News Radio)

• The Trump administration cans a senior staffer on its National Security Council. Craig Deare, Trump’s appointee to head the NSC’s Western Hemisphere division, was demoted Friday. He reportedly told a small group at the Woodrow Wilson Center he was frustrated at having been cut out of discussions over the administration’s approach toward Mexico. That got leaked. The White House said Deare will return to his post as a senior faculty member at National Defense University, but that there’s no room on the NSC for people who “oppose the president’s agenda.” (Federal News Radio)

• Both the Government Accountability Office and the Veterans Affairs inspector general expressed disappointment with VA’s lack of action to address their concerns. GAO said VA leadership reiterated their commitment to addressing High-Risk recommendations. But many suggestions are still open. VA health care stayed on GAO’s biennial High-Risk list this year. (Federal News Radio)

• The Veterans Benefits Administration said the National Work Queue system is making it easier for VA to process veterans’ claims faster. But the backlog of unprocessed claims is higher than it was before VA stood up the NW Queue. Acting Benefits Undersecretary Thomas Murphy said more veterans are filing claims. The backlog has about 99,000 unprocessed claims. (Federal News Radio)

• A federal judge said the government was wrong not to pay employees on time for their work during the first week of the 2013 shutdown. Chief Judge Patricia Campbell-Smith ruled in favor of more than 24,000 people who filed a class-action lawsuit against the government, saying it violated the Fair Labor Standards Act and is liable for liquidated damages. (Federal News Radio)

• The government needs to reduce its surplus of buildings and not rely so heavily on leases. The 2017 High-Risk List once again includes real property management. The Government Accountability Office, which publishes the list, said the General Services Administration needs to keep better track of its properties, and ensure its data is accurate. (Government Accountability Office)

• The General Services Administration is asking for a new and cheaper way to classify and understand the health of government contractors. GSA releases a request for information seeking input on governmentwide entity identification and validation services. The agency is asking potential partners to answer 20 questions about the three components of entity validation services, including core validation, additional services and a method to determine unique assignment. GSA is considering replacing its current eight-year, $131 million contract with Dun and Bradstreet when it expires in 2018. Responses to the RFI are due March 13. (Federal News Radio)

• The House Armed Services Committee announces its first vice chairs for the 115th Congress. Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry (R-Texas) said the new positions will bring diverse talent and expertise to the subcommittees. Some taking on the roles include Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio) as vice chair for the military personnel subcommittee, Rep. Martha McSally (R-Ariz.) as vice chair of the readiness subcommittee and Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.) as vice chair of the strategic forces subcommittee. (House Armed Services Committee)

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