Pay & Benefits

Wisdom of two-week furlough proposal is subject to debate

Plan might not affect benefits, but could carry hidden costs and will hurt government operations and employee morale, observers say.

Oversight

SEC transparency faulted by watchdog group

Project on Government Oversight assembles previously unpublished reports examining employee misconduct and retaliation against whistleblowers.

Oversight

Interior to reinstate ousted Park Police chief after eight years

Department will not appeal MSPB order to give Teresa Chambers her job back.

Defense

Watchdog puts price tag on ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’

Discharging openly gay service members cost nearly $200 million during the past five fiscal years, GAO concludes as Pentagon prepares to implement repeal.

Defense

Unwanted Pentagon weapons systems often prove impossible to kill

Lawmakers from both parties are mobilizing to save programs Defense Secretary Gates has placed on the chopping block.

Pay & Benefits

Be Prepared

Changes in retirement benefits could be on the way. Here’s how to get ready for them.

News

The Overseer's Targets

News

Troops and Psychotropic Drugs

Defense

Firms gearing up final pitches for Air Force tanker contract

Deal for 179 wide-body planes has been valued as high as $40 billion, making it a significant prize for rivals Boeing and EADS North America.

Oversight

From Nextgov.com: Transportation tackles distracted-driving problem using videos

Agency unveils two new messages on its ‘rampage’ to end deadly practice that has been rising in age of mobile technology.

Pay & Benefits

USDA confronts challenge of youth recruitment

Secretary Tom Vilsack highlights steps Agriculture is taking to attract and cultivate a new generation of employees.

Oversight

Amtrak e-mail misuse alleged in IG scandal

Amtrak’s independent investigative officer is asking the Postal Service to look into the matter.

Pay & Benefits

Lawmakers propose five-year pay freeze, federal job cuts

Bill would keep spending at 2006 levels for a decade and reduce funding for civilian employees.

Oversight

Union representatives seek more input in workplace issues

Federal managers must step up pre-decisional involvement processes, administration officials say.

Oversight

Supreme Court approves background checks for contractors

NASA has the right to ask scientists questions about past drug use and emotional stability, justices rule.

News

The Week in Comments: Contract costs, USPS staff cuts and employee attrition

The best in reader reaction to recent articles.

Oversight

GOP looks to send Obama a message on spending

House Republicans are planning a vote the day of the State of the Union address on a resolution to cut non-security discretionary spending.

Pay & Benefits

The Real Gap

Independent research tells a different story about federal pay.