Pay & Benefits
Improper Hiring at Treasury Bureau Possibly Affected Veterans
Lawmakers and others are looking into whether the use of illegal hiring practices at an anti-money laundering agency violated vets’ preference.
Management
Investigators Are Looking Into 37 Whistleblower Reprisal Complaints from VA Employees
Some involve the type of allegations that led to the wait-list scandal.
Management
The VA Scandal Flags Much Bigger Problems in Civil Service
Why piecemeal reform won’t solve anything.
Defense One
Obama Picks Dunford as Next Marine Corps Commandant
The question now is who will replace Gen. Joseph Dunford as the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan to oversee the end of the war? By Ben Watson
Defense
Obama on Bergdahl Swap: I Make No Apologies
"We do not leave anybody wearing the American uniform behind," the president said at a press conference Thursday morning.
Pay & Benefits
Cutting VA Bonuses Could Hurt Veterans More Than Execs
Private sector health care professionals earn three times what their government counterparts earn.
Nextgov
Flaw Lets Hackers Control Electronic Highway Billboards
Officials have notified the vendor to confirm the issue and figure out a fix.
Management
Why Elon Musk Is Suing the U.S. Air Force
SpaceX is suing its would-be biggest customer for the right to compete for more Pentagon launches.
Oversight
Play of the Day: Why Boehner Thinks the New EPA Rule Is Bonkers
The idea that carbon is harmful is "almost comical," according to the Speaker of the House.
Management
Why You Should Be Brief and How to Do It
Keep in mind, your audience is drowning in the information flood.
Employee Policy
Lawmaker pans proposal linking highway funds to 5-day mail
A Virginia congressman has sent a letter to colleagues charging the Republican House leadership of using a "budgetary gimmick" to hold highway funds hostage until the Postal Service is permitted to end Saturday mail delivery.
Employee Policy
Cutting out bonuses could harm VA
Lawmakers are targeting bonuses at the Department of Veterans Affairs, but some experts say that doing so may drive much-needed administrators and doctors out of the organization.
Employee Policy
Special Counsel investigating dozens of VA retaliation claims
The Office of Special Counsel on June 5 announced that it is investigating allegations of whistleblower retaliation for 37 Department of Veterans Affairs employees—including allegations of reprisal for disclosing improper scheduling practices and other threats to patient care. The complaints came from workers at VA facilities in 19 states.
Management
No Easy Cure for VA’s Ailing Bureaucracy
The department has repeatedly struggled (and failed) to balance central control with field authority.
Pay & Benefits
A VA Fix That Goes Beyond Banning Bonuses
Lawmakers point to compensation for a quick scapegoat, but a long-term solution may be on the horizon.
Nextgov
Sending Astronauts to Space Is Worth It -- If the Goal Is Mars
But we’ll have to increase NASA’s budget and cooperate with China, report concludes.
Management
5 Ways to Boost Your Emotional Intelligence
Before you can lead others, you must be able to lead yourself.
Nextgov
TSA Plans to Profile Your Suitcase
New system will cross-check baggage tags with passenger information.
Pay & Benefits
Federal Employees Have Lost All Furlough Appeals So Far
MSPB judges have sided with the agency’s decision to furlough workers during sequestration in the 1,200 cases that they’ve adjudicated to date.
Oversight