News Briefs

THE DAILY FED

News Briefs

SECTIONS TO CHOOSE FROM:

10th Annual Federal Quality Conference

Get more information on this special conference and download a brochure and registration forms from our special conference section.

U.S. Navy International Logistics Symposium

Secretary of the Navy John H. Dalton will be a guest speaker at a three-day International Logistics Symposium sponsored by the Navy International Programs Office in conjunction with the American Society of Naval Engineers, July 14-16, 1997, at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Crystal City, VA. Representatives from government, industry and foreign nations will meet to exchange ideas and review exhibits on a variety of logistics topics related to the Navy's Foreign Military Sales program. For program information contact NAVSEA (703) 602-9000.

The following news summaries are usually from OPM AM, the daily newsletter of the Office of Personnel Management. OPM AM is available on OPM Mainstreet, the agency's electronic bulletin board, at 202-606-4800.

**TSP OPEN SEASON**The Thrift Savings Plan Open Season runs through July 31. During this time, you may begin contributing to the TSP, change the amount of your TSP contributions, or allocate TSP contributions to your account among the three investment funds. To get more information and download the forms you will need, click here.

THE FEDERAL DIARY--"Federal officials are confident that they can absorb 10,000 new workers from the welfare rolls without disrupting regular personnel operations and office routines or harming the quality of government work...But some rank-and-file federal workers, not to mention ex-feds who were downsized into the unemployment ranks, are less than happy about the White House's welfare-to work program" (The Washington Post, 6/2/97)...Officials expect thousands of longtime employees to get what could be their last chance at the civil service brass ring: a chance to retire on immediate, unreduced benefits (early in some cases) with a buyout worth as much as $25,000 (The Washington Post, 6/1/97).

VOICE MAIL JAIL--If your company uses an automated phone system, you may be alienating your customers (The Wall Street Journal).

NAPPING ON THE JOB -- Catching a few winks during business hours isn't the norm in Washington, a town renowned for its workaholics. Although some senior managers own up to resting their eyes on the job, the afternoon nap isn't likely to replace the coffee break anytime soon (The Washington Times, 6/1/97).

FEDERAL TIMES -- Two senators plan to introduce legislation that would put teeth in veterans preference laws. Their measure will be identical to HR-240, introduced by Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., which the House passed April 9...Congress is returning from a week's vacation to begin the tough task of turning a bipartisan budget agreement into specific spending bills...Savings bonds, the time-honored savings vehicle has fallen into disfavor. The Treasury Department recently announced some changes to the savings bond program to help remedy this (6/9/97).