Pay & Benefits

Long term care insurance: Sharp hike in premiums for feds means enrollees face tough choices

Experts say although long term care is in the cards for most older Americans, an upcoming spike in LTC insurance premiums for feds who are enrolled is just part of a pattern that will remain unbroken until Congress and policymakers act on the neglected—but vital—broader issue of long term care and accompanying costs that will affect a majority of federal families. The program remains closed to new applicants.

Management

A government shutdown is a catalyst event that can increase the possibility of insider threat incidents

COMMENTARY | As another government shutdown looms it’s a reminder that risks happen when you’re least prepared, writes one observer.

Oversight

New bill would beef up accessibility reporting requirements for agencies

Agency and department heads would be required to appoint “Section 508 compliance officers” to ensure they meet accessibility mandates.

Management

5 longest government shutdowns in U.S. history

The 2025 budget dispute is now the longest of the impasses that have left lasting impressions on the history of the federal government.

Management

Senate to advance short-term funding measure as shutdown deadline nears

But the House is continuing to pursue deep cuts to spending that stand no chance across Capitol Hill or in the White House.

Tech

Should a federal agency govern artificial intelligence?

A new survey finds that a majority of computer science experts at top U.S. research universities want to see the creation of a new federal agency or global organization to govern artificial intelligence.

Management

What does it take to end a government shutdown?

The end of past budget impasses have often played out as calculations of policy goals versus the political pain needed to achieve them, but when the goal is unclear how do you know who wins? 

Pay & Benefits

Odds of a fix for impending wildland firefighter ‘pay cliff’ improve, but complications remain

Union officials say they’ve received assurances from leadership in both the House and Senate that Congress will work to avert massive pay cuts that could kick in next month.

Workforce

Science group threatens lawsuit over OPM’s failure to implement limiting involuntary leave for feds accused of misconduct

Although Congress passed a law aimed at preventing federal workers accused of misconduct from being stuck in limbo in 2016, the federal government’s HR agency never issued regulations to implement the measure.

Management

Federal CIO touts '10-year-plan' to build a truly digital federal government

The long-awaited guidance to support the implementation of the IDEA Act tasks agencies with ramping up their digital offerings while mandating consistent brand and design standards across the federal government.

Workforce

OIG: Tech demand remains a talent challenge for the federal home loan agencies, but telework can help

A report spotlighting the potential risks of recruiting and retaining talent at the agencies overseeing federal home loans shows tight competition for tech talent.

Management

The government management paradox

COMMENTARY | Change is hard, but agencies can significantly improve their operational performance to deliver on highly complex programs.

Workforce

See who would get furloughed in a shutdown this year

The Biden administration is planning to take a novel shutdown approach at some agencies.

Management

OPM advances skills-based hiring initiative with common competencies update for federal jobs

The federal government’s HR agency said it surveyed more than 90,000 federal workers to update its list of common skillsets needed in federal employment.

Pay & Benefits

Best Dates to Retire 2024

Looking forward to moving on next year? Here’s a calendar showing optimal dates.

Management

ICE officials didn’t accurately report how they disrupted transnational criminals, OIG says

Immigration officials didn’t know how many transnational criminal organizations they impacted over five years due to a data filing misstep, according to the Homeland Security Department’s inspector general.

Management

Federal cyber operations face challenges as government shutdown looms

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency will retain about one-sixth of its workforce in the event of a partial government shutdown, according to its current plan.

Pay & Benefits

Process and payment questions are always paramount in shutdowns

How and when contractors get paid if the government shuts down are among many questions contractors have. Here is a glimpse at some answers.

Workforce

Bill allowing past cannabis users to become feds advances in House

The bipartisan legislation was amended this week to remove provisions allowing current marijuana users to be eligible for federal employment or a security clearance.