Management
USDA asks judge to lift employee relocation stay that ‘significantly hinders’ its operations
The Forest Service says a court's stay prevents it from filling “critical" positions to address wildfires and avalanches. USDA’s research division warns further delays could mean "discontinued employment” for staff.
Updated
State Department seeks mid-career hires to join its ranks after widespread layoffs
The Lateral Entry Pilot Program marks State’s latest step to rebuild its workforce. Employees it laid off last year haven’t had much luck in the hiring process.
OPM is ending a promotion rule, but agencies still have work to do
COMMENTARY | A former federal HR chief argues that managers need to pay closer attention to who gets the assignments and experience that make employees competitive for promotion.
Exclusive
USDA sends more relocation notices, seemingly in violation of court order
A court-ordered stay prohibits USDA from issuing or enforcing "any other notice or directive of reassignment or relocation in whole or in part."
Underused federal office data incomplete but improving
The Government Accountability Office wrote that gaps in USE IT Act data are giving agencies an incomplete understanding of the state of their real estate footprint.
Federal workforce cuts linked to lower satisfaction scores across government services
An annual scorecard that tracks citizen satisfaction in public-facing services shows the federal government’s first overall decline in five years.
IRS says it needs top performers, even if they don’t all get the performance ratings they deserve
An IRS division that reassigned employees to different parts of the agency to address backlogs is warning staff against “deliberately choosing mediocrity” in their day-to-day work if they get lower performance ratings this year.
Updated
SBA is moving field offices away from major cities, union says
The Small Business Administration previously said that it would relocate offices out of certain cities due to disagreements about federal immigration enforcement.
Navy’s tech playbook serves as a ‘toolkit’ for the rest of government
The U.S. Navy dramatically upped its use of pilot tech programs, shuttered old technology systems and moved into the modern tech arena — and it is sharing its lessons learned along the way.
USDA, undeterred by judge’s stay, moves ‘full-bore ahead’ with reorganization steps
The Agriculture Department is still carrying out reorganization activities not explicitly barred by a judge’s stay.
Updated
These former feds could be members of Congress next year
Most of these candidates face long odds of winning or are in tight races.
Featured eBooks
CDC hiring plan and more permanent leadership coming soon, director tells staff
CDC leaders say they're close to finishing a hiring plan that would replenish the agency’s ranks after deep staffing cuts last year, but employees have heard similar messages since March 2026.
HHS telework rollback challenge upheld by FLRA
Federal Labor Relations Authority members wrote that HHS seemingly used generative AI tools to draft its legal brief, since many of its citations were “fictitious, erroneous, or irrelevant.”
‘Last chance to stay where you are.’ USDA gives some employees facing relocation a shot at unfilled local jobs
A Natural Resources Conservation Service employee said most critical vacancies available at his grade level would amount to a "voluntary downgrade," but would spare him from relocating across the country.
Exclusive
‘It’s The Price is Right’: How USCIS artificially deflated employee ratings under forced distribution mandate
A federal whistleblower says the agency instituted a forced distribution of employee performance ratings last year, months before the Trump administration lifted a ban on the practice.
‘A rushed and complicated system.’ Federal employees say they’re in the dark over limited top ratings
A mandate to limit outstanding performance scores has managers playing a numbers game and risks pitting teammates against each other.
Enforcement ‘surge’ from DOJ, IRS uncovers $490M in suspected tax fraud
Justice and IRS officials said this won’t be the last tax fraud enforcement surge of its kind. But it's not yet clear how much money they'll claw back from suspected fraudsters.
USPS ‘ready to deliver’ ballots in midterms without mail-in voting EO restrictions
The Postal Service's law enforcement agency is investigating suspicious letters sent to several state officials who oversee election operations.
Trump quietly hired political appointees under a new job classification, good government group reports
While Schedule G is not officially set up in regulation, the Office of Personnel Management emphasized that the position category for political appointees was established by executive order and that the agency issued implementing guidance.
ICE resists automatic activation of body cameras despite oversight concerns
Federal investigators found gaps in guidance for immigration officers’ use of body-worn cameras, raising concerns about whether the agencies can ensure the devices are used as required.
