Pay & Benefits
Agencies authorized to dismiss employees early for Thanksgiving
OPM chief says a little extra time off would be “mark of gratitude” for workers’ service.
Defense
Personnel system under scrutiny in Fort Hood review
Task force will examine alleged shooter’s promotion and whether his patients received adequate care.
News
From Nextgov.com: University unites industry, government to tighten energy sector cybersecurity
Professors hope program overcomes what they see as a lack of cooperation among government and businesses to develop policies to protect and respond to a cyberattack on power companies.
Oversight
OPM extends direct hire authority for acquisition jobs
Rule could help recruit the talented acquisition workforce necessary for insourcing efforts, observers say.
Oversight
Obama executive order targets payment errors
Mandate focuses on transparency, accountability and incentives to report improperly issued funds.
Defense
Obama's missile plan clears hurdle
Senate approves language allowing the Pentagon to use $68.5 million in unspent fiscal 2009 funds to build a Hawaii test facility for the Navy's Aegis Weapons System.
Defense
Prospects fade for quick Real ID repeal
Many states are not prepared to meet the law's Jan. 1 deadline for issuing licenses that meet federal security standards.
Oversight
Cleaning House
Dealing with ethics problems will be a tough task for House Democrats in 2010.
Oversight
From Nextgov.com: Better reporting technology an unexpected byproduct of stimulus
Forced to invent ways to quickly track how they spend recovery funds, states might have stumbled on the future of information sharing among governments and contractors.
Oversight
GSA is evicting labor officials from federal building in Chicago
Agency believed office was vacant, but union official alleges retribution for filing complaints.
Defense
Official seeks more realistic plan for fighter jet program
Pentagon acquisition leader is analyzing disparate cost and schedule estimates for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
Oversight
Postal Service employees will receive pay raise in December
Agency’s financial woes have no effect on 2006 union agreement, officials say.
Pay & Benefits
Paid parental leave touted as a way to improve retention
Family groups say stingy leave policies force federal employees to make difficult financial choices.
Oversight