Pay & Benefits

What Feds Need to Know About Getting the Most Out of the TSP

Abraham Grungold joins the podcast to discuss his decades of experience with the Thrift Savings Plan.

Management

ATF Director Reminds Staff To Follow the Rules When Recruiting Family and Friends

The Justice Department watchdog raised concerns last December about avoiding ethical issues when hiring special agents.

Defense

The Pentagon Is Increasingly Relying on Billionaires’ Rockets. And It’s OK with That.

Space Force leaders say carefully written contracts can prevent things like SpaceX’s about-face on Ukrainian satcomms.

Management

A New Report Highlights Procurement Innovation Hubs That May Help Achieve White House Equity Goals

The Partnership for Public Service report identified specific case studies across the federal procurement community that modeled collaboration and could advance White House policies on equity, sustainability and modernization.

Management

Coronavirus Roundup: Vaccines for the Uninsured; Additional Shots for Certain Groups 

There’s a lot to keep track of. Here’s a list of this week’s news updates and stories you may have missed.

Tech

House Lawmakers Coalesce Around Bipartisan Fixes to VA’s Electronic Health Records System

The top Democrat and Republican on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee have started bipartisan negotiations to address the Veterans Affairs Department’s troubled rollout of its new electronic health record system.

Workforce

For Better Virtual Meetings, Take Turns

Most people work just as efficiently in virtual meetings. But something is missing that could make them better: Taking turns.

Management

Agencies Would Suffer 'Egregious Harm' Under GOP Debt Ceiling Proposal, Federal Employee Union Says

House Republicans’ plan to raise the debt ceiling in conjunction with a 20% cut in discretionary spending would hurt public services, AFGE says.

Pay & Benefits

Getting Credit for Your Work

Carefully documenting previous military or civilian service can lead to an earlier retirement and a bigger benefit. 

Management

Management of the Federal Prisons System Is Added to GAO’s High-Risk List

The federal government made improvements in other areas including veterans health care and the Postal Service’s financial viability. 

Defense

Tighten Access to Classified Info, Air Force Secretary Says

As the Pentagon responds to a classified document leak, officials should focus on enforcing “need to know,” according to Frank Kendall.

Tech

Pentagon UFO Chief: ‘No Credible Evidence’ of Aliens, Yet

Sean Kirkpatrick, who heads the Defense Department’s All-Domain Anomaly Office, briefed the Senate Wednesday.

Oversight

The CDC Lacks a Rural Focus. Researchers Hope a Newly Funded Office Will Help.

Advocates for improving rural health pushed for the CDC to extend its rural health focus by creating an Office of Rural Health. They hope the agency will commit to rural health research and provide analyses that lead to good public health policies for rural communities.

Management

Biden’s Dilemma, Part 9: Parents Don’t Want Their Children To Pursue Government Careers

The latest in a series of infographics on Americans’ views of government reform heading into the 2024 election. 

Management

Does The Government Care About Customer Experience? The Answer May Surprise You.

If done right, a customer experience strategy could help rebuild trust in the federal government.

Oversight

Login.gov Has a Long Road Ahead of It

FCW's Natalie Alms joins the podcast to discuss the government's SSO option.

Management

Senate Republicans Fail in Bid to Block VA From Providing Abortions

Lawmakers called the rule allowing limited access to the procedure illegal and damaging to workforce morale.

Management

Afghanistan Watchdog to Congress: We Need Help Getting Agencies to Cooperate With Us

White House and agency officials argue that the administration has been responsive to the inspector general.

Workforce

OPM Will End Agencies’ Maximum Telework Status Next Month

The move follows White House guidance last week instructing federal agencies to reduce the use of workplace flexibilities following the end of the COVID-19 national emergency.

Nextgov

Pentagon UFO Chief: ‘No Credible Evidence’ of Aliens, Yet

Sean Kirkpatrick, who heads the Defense Department’s All-Domain Anomaly Office, briefed the Senate Wednesday.