Workforce
State to End Severe Restrictions on Disabled Individuals Entering Foreign Service
The department will pay out $37.5 million as part of a settlement that will make it easier for people with disabilities to serve in the government's diplomatic corps abroad.
Oversight
The Collapse Of Major U.S. Banks Leads To Bills Calling For More Regulation
The recent collapse of three banks has lawmakers debating whether stricter regulations will prevent other banks from meeting the same fate.
Defense
Pentagon To Halt Use Of Firefighting Foam That Contains PFAS As Cleanup Costs Mount
The Department of Defense will stop purchasing PFAS-containing firefighting foam later this year and phase it out entirely in 2024.
Pay & Benefits
National Security Pay Increases in New Survey
Lindy Kyzer joins the podcast to discuss compensation and security clearances.
Workforce
VA Claims Progress in Union Talks. The Union Begs to Differ.
AFGE officials say department management continues to push illegal proposals in contract negotiations, and that claims the parties have reached “tentative agreements” are fabricated.
Oversight
Biden Wants to Expand a Federal Agency’s Power to Go After Failed Bank Execs
The White House says Congress must give its administration more accountability powers.
Management
Coronavirus Roundup: GSA’s Budget Request Looks to the Future of Work After the Pandemic
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s a list of this week’s news updates and stories you may have missed.
Management
Veteran Deaths Lead Lawmakers to Call for VA to Renegotiate Oracle EHR Contract
Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester said that VA should “negotiate an entirely new contract” with Oracle Cerner following the revelation that the EHR system has resulted in the deaths of four veterans.
Tech
Government Employees And Defense Contractors Still Have Got Bad Passwords, Report Says
According to new research, a majority of government employees with exposed passwords were found to have reused them across multiple accounts.
Workforce
Building a Government Leadership Talent Pipeline
The Partnership for Public Service's Michelle Amante joins the podcast to discuss recruiting and retaining the next generation of federal leaders.
Management
FAA is Facing a Looming Staffing Crisis as Post-Pandemic Needs Grow
Lawmakers suggest expanding the workforce pool to fill shortages, noting the aviation industry is overwhelmingly staffed by white men.
Oversight
Failing to Invest in Climate Change Means Failure to Taxpayers, Says New Assessment
A climate assessment included in the president's budget request adheres to an executive order issued in May 2021.
Pay & Benefits
When Collecting Your Retirement Benefit Means Proving You’re Not Dead
Sometimes, OPM requires proof of life.
Tech
‘Multiple Threat Actors’ Used Old Exploit to Access Federal Agency Servers
At least two groups tried to exploit the vulnerability to get deeper into the agency’s networks, including a Vietnamese criminal gang.
Oversight
EPA Proposes First-Ever Limits on PFAs in Drinking Water
The standards would force states to begin the arduous process of cleaning out 'forever chemicals' from their water supplies.
Oversight
House Democrats Release a New Citizen's Guide to the Freedom of Information Act
Journalists, educational institutions, nonprofits, private corporations and members of the public make use of the records law.
Workforce
Better Data Is Needed for Evidence-Based DEIA Policies
Temilola Afolabi joins the podcast to discuss how agencies can improve data collection for equity.
Workforce
VA Broke Settlement Agreement, Continued Bad Faith Bargaining, Arbitrator Finds
The American Federation of Government Employees and the Veterans Affairs Department have negotiated fruitlessly over a new union contract for more than a year.
Management
Biden's Budget Chief Defends Proposed Spending Increases and 5.2% Pay Raise
The president is willing to negotiate over final spending levels, OMB director tells lawmakers, but will not accept cuts to government programs.
Management