VSIP

In this Feb. 5, 2016, photo, a mail clerk at the Wynne Unit of the Texas prison system makes her way through a box of letters for inmates in Huntsville, Texas. Every piece of mail is checked for contraband, like drugs hidden under stamps, or messages or words in correspondence that suggest violence or escape plans, as well as attempts by convicts to profit from some enterprise or business while behind bars. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan)

USPS early outs and you: Good deal, or return to sender?

The Postal Service’s early retirement offer has given new (probably false) hope to feds in other agencies who would love to retire early on an immediate…

Federal Report

Amelia Brust/Federal News Network

defense contract-Section 809-purchasing-military

DCMA offers early-outs, buyouts to hundreds of workers

DoD Reporter's Notebook

NDAA dashes chance of $40K buyouts for civilian employees

Workforce

$40K buyouts, and 3 other reasons civilian feds should pay attention to this year’s NDAA

$40,000 buyouts limited to defense civilians

Federal Report

FILE - In this Sept. 30, 2013, file photo, the morning sun illuminates the U.S. Capitol in Washington. Sen. John McCain's opposition to the GOP's last-ditch effort to repeal and replace the Obama health law has dealt a likely fatal blow to the legislation — and perhaps to the Republican Party's years of promises to kill the program. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, file)

Whistleblower protections, higher VSIPs and other bills worth watching this week

Congress

Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) AP/Manuel Balce Ceneta

Senate bill would boost early buyout offers for all federal employees

Congress

FILE - This Feb. 2, 2015, file photo, depicts a part of a U.S. $100 bill. The federal government is borrowing about one out of seven dollars it spends and steadily piling up debt _ to the tune of about $14 trillion held by investors. Over the long term, that threatens the economy and people’s pocketbooks. (AP Photo/Jon Elswick, File)

Waiting for that $40K buyout?

Federal Report

Nearly half of EPA watchdog’s buyouts issued to ineligible employees

Workforce

Air Force civilians now eligible for phased retirement

Air Force

On Trump’s NDAA wishlist: higher VSIP payments for all feds, an industry exchange program

Note pad with pen, calculator and cheque book and cash. Check book. Shallow depth of field

EPA employees ‘rolling the dice’ as they consider VERA/VSIP, FY18 budget cuts

Gary Morton, AFGE’s VERA/VSIP lead negotiator, says employees also need to consider what budget cuts could mean for themselves and the agency in 2018.

Workforce

House panel wants 2.4 percent military pay bump and bigger Army

The House Armed Services’ Personnel Subcommittee suggests a 2.4 percent increase in military pay and 17,000 more troops for the Army.

Pay

What you should know (and do) if your agency is downsizing

Commentary

Beginning with the release of the president’s budget proposal, federal workers have been talking and worrying about downsizing. While worrying may be OK for some folks, others want to know more, federal HR expert Jeff Neal says.