Author Archive

Norah Swanson

Oversight

GSA aims to make agency websites more user-friendly

Program uses inexpensive testing methods to identify the most serious problems with federal sites.

Defense

Volunteers give back to service members this holiday season

Many nonprofits offer alternative gift-giving ideas that support the troops.

Pay & Benefits

Congress passes bill allowing military families and retirees to keep their doctors

The bill would prevent a 25 percent cut to payments for physicians participating in the Medicare and TRICARE programs.

Pay & Benefits

Washington reacts to Obama’s federal pay freeze

Feedback from players on both sides of the pay debate.

Oversight

OMB releases preliminary guidance on plain writing

Memo defines plain language and details steps for complying with new legislation.

Oversight

Awards honor plain language and condemn jargon

Advocacy group now is accepting nominations for the best and worst examples of clear communication.

Pay & Benefits

Board to revisit more aggressive default funds for TSP participants

Chairman says indecisive investors could benefit from having their money in life-cycle funds rather than in government securities.

News

Veterans learn the power of the pen

Poet Jehanne Dubrow shows how creative writing can be therapeutic for those involved with war.

Oversight

Watchdog calls for reform of Justice travel policies

Review of U.S. attorneys’ expenses finds inconsistent policies and poor oversight are partially to blame for abuses.

Pay & Benefits

National labor-management council spars over telework

Differences center on whether group will approach the mobile setup as a way to stay productive during emergencies, or as a broader workplace policy.

Oversight

Most Washington-area incumbents coast to victory

But tight race between telework advocate and local businessman in Northern Virginia appears headed for a recount.

Defense

Problem-solving requires cooperation, says retired Adm. Thad Allen

Team work and coordination among agencies drive success in government, according to administration’s point man on oil spill cleanup.

Pay & Benefits

OPM holds disability employment training

Event highlights resources at hiring officials’ disposal as they seek to implement a July presidential directive.

Oversight

Appeals court suspends judge’s order on ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’

Court temporarily puts on hold judge’s decision to repeal ban on gays openly serving in the military.

Oversight

Cemetery employees will receive job training

Career development program for workers is the first formal training of its kind for Arlington National Cemetery staff.

Defense

GAO: Defense domestic violence tracking remains flawed

Audit finds the Pentagon’s system for collecting data on abuse in military families hinders department’s ability to analyze trends.

Defense

Memorial fund breaks ground on law enforcement museum

Building will be underground and use technology to create a highly interactive experience for visitors.

Defense

Survey: Pay and benefits remain an issue for military families

Respondents say long deployments and worries about children and finances are main challenges facing service members.

Oversight

Unions to managers: Give employees a bigger voice in decisions

Agencies are underutilizing a process for getting employees involved early in choices that affect their daily work, labor representatives tell council.

Defense

Supreme Court will weigh in on NASA contractor dispute

Case involving privacy rights of California scientists could have significant impact on process of background checks.