Defense One
The Pentagon Is Picking an Unnecessary Fight With Congress
The Defense Department needs to downsize and streamline, but President Obama’s sassy spending request only will make it harder to achieve some good. By James Joyner
Management
Are Your Employees Up to the Task?
Certification programs can validate whether someone is truly qualified for the work assigned.
Management
CBO Tallies Cost of Stimulus Package
As politicos clash over 2009 law’s legacy, nonpartisan office reiterates $830 billion price tag.
Pay & Benefits
Obama to Propose 1 Percent Raise for Feds, Troops in FY15 Budget
President also recommended a 1 percent boost in fiscal 2014 after a three-year pay freeze.
Management
American Men Work From Home More Than Women
A new survey reveals the gender lines in remote work.
Oversight
More Equality, Less Work: Obama's America, According to the CBO
Two of the White House's biggest initiatives—health care reform and raising the minimum wage—will both result in fewer workers, according to Washington's budget oracles. Should you care?
Nextgov
What Government Data Can Do About the Shortage of Science and Tech Skills
First, a data jam on STEM workforce issues.
Defense One
For Obama, Few Options in Syria
President Obama said there is no military solution for Syria, but sources say counterterrorism ops and direct arms are back on the menu of lousy options. By Gayle Tzemach Lemmon
Defense One
This Is the App That’s Fueling the Uprising in Venezuela
The newest apps fueling Venezuela’s uprisings are made in North America and have piqued the Pentagon’s interest. By Patrick Tucker
Defense One
What's on the Chopping Block—and What's Safe—in the Pentagon's Shrinking Budget?
Here's a look at what might get cut, and what might make the cut. By Sara Sorcher
Employee Policy
Legal Matters: Temptation strong to lie about credentials amid intense job competition
Federal jobseekers this year likely will have to continue going to extremes to distinguish themselves in a labor market that is growing more fiercely competitive every day -- and making it more tempting to inflate or misrepresent credentials.
Employee Policy
Bill targets poorly performing SES at VA
The chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs this month announced legislation that would empower the secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs to fire or demote the agency's Senior Executive Service employees in cases of poor performance.
Employee Policy
Union: NASA performance rating system results in discrimination
The International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers is pressing the Office of Personnel Management to investigate NASA and its performance rating system, alleging that the agency has systematically engaged in racial discrimination over a period spanning at least six years.
Pay
President ups minimum wage for federal contract workers
President Obama this month signed an executive order to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 for federal contract workers—and encouraged Congress to extend the increase to other workers, as well.
Financial Planning
Informed Investor: Protect your tax Identity
Recent data breaches at Target stores and an increase in the number of tax identity thefts should alert all individuals about the problem of identity theft. This week’s column discusses what to do to prevent identity theft, and the steps one should take if one has become a victim of tax identity theft.
Employee Policy
Postal reassignments on hold in wake of postponed consolidations
The U.S. Postal Service notified the American Postal Workers Union that reassignment of postal employees related to proposed Area Mail Processing consolidations has been placed on “indefinite hold.
Retirement
Federal Benefits Q&A
Question: "Is it possible to go into retirement with too much money in the TSP and external plans? Once a person is required to start taking minimum distributions for their retirement savings, will that count as income where Social Security benefits could be reduced or eliminated?"
Employee Policy
Vets to get new health ID card
The Department of Veterans Affairs last week said it would begin the phased rollout this month of a new secure health identification card.
Employee Policy