Workforce
California lawmakers urge Trump admin to halt cuts to national labs
Sens. Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla, along with Rep. Zoe Lofgren, said budget cuts to national laboratories have already led to layoffs, with some other labs warning that “they may need to start laying off thousands of scientists and technical staff in the near future.”
Workforce
Trump administration reminds federal employees they can proselytize in the office
Supervisors can solicit employees to attend their church, OPM says in new guidance.
Workforce
Secretary Rollins’ reorganization of USDA will weaken the delivery of programs to farmers, ranchers and rural communities
COMMENTARY | USDA's proposed reorganization will make the department's work more challenging, with a "accomplish less with less" approach, says former official.
Pay & Benefits
Bipartisan Senate bill would boost pay, alleviate grueling schedule for federal firefighters
New legislation would shorten federal firefighters’ work week from 72 hours to 60 and would ensure their overtime work is properly compensated via the Federal Employees Retirement System.
Workforce
Trump wants to reverse the staffing cuts he's overseen for IRS customer service. House Republicans disagree.
The Trump administration is warning of dire consequences if it cannot reverse the tax agency's recent staffing exodus.
Workforce
Census is planning on hiring fewer temporary workers for the 2030 count, watchdog reports
An official from the nonprofit Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights said the smaller workforce, among other proposed changes, could contribute to undercounts of certain groups.
Workforce
The Forest Service claims it’s fully staffed for a worsening fire season. Data shows thousands of unfilled jobs
DOGE cuts and voluntary resignations have severely hampered the agency as the nation enters the peak of fire season, with more than 1 million acres burning across 10 Western states.
Management
Managers are the linchpins to improved performance
COMMENTARY | To reach its performance management goals, OPM may need to look at the inherent challenges facing agency managers and how to improve their engagement.
Breaking News
Workforce
Court filing reveals which offices at 17 agencies the Trump administration had slated for layoffs
Some plans have changed, but the document shows new details on RIF plans.
Pay & Benefits
Why federal retirements are spiking this year
A sharp rise in retirement claims may be tied to fear instead of planning. If you're eyeing the exit, make sure you're not rushing into something you'll regret.
Management
Trump’s controversial OSC nominee pulled from confirmation hearing
The hearing for the White House’s pick to replace Federal Labor Relations Authority Chairwoman Susan Tsui Grundmann, who is still challenging her ouster, was similarly postponed.
Oversight
Whistleblower bill for contractors gains bipartisan support with Grassley’s backing
Supporters say the legislation would close “loopholes” in existing whistleblower protections for federal contractors.
Management
USDA to relocate thousands of staff outside Washington, consolidate dozens of offices
The Agriculture Department is slashing regional offices and centralizing staff into five new hubs across the country.
Workforce
Another judge has dismissed the Trump administration’s effort to pre-clear anti-union EO
Both of the White House’s efforts to secure declaratory judgments in advance of formally stripping more than 1 million federal workers of their collective bargaining rights have now failed.
Workforce
Lawmakers pursue parallel paths toward blocking Trump’s anti-union order
While House Democrats and unions are working over the August recess to secure signatures on a discharge petition to force the chamber to consider a bill overturning the president’s edict stripping two-thirds of federal employees of their collective bargaining rights, the House NDAA includes language blocking its implementation at the Pentagon.
Workforce
Most Americans oppose RIFs, but a good-government group says anti-layoff messaging needs to be improved
A Partnership for Public Service researcher said that there needs to be more focus on the consequences of laying off federal employees versus the government workers themselves because “we found through our focus groups that there's not a lot of sympathy for civil servants losing their jobs.”
Management
Russ Vought bills CFPB $5M for his security detail
The expense comes as the consumer-protection agency's budget is slashed nearly in half.
Workforce
Agency RIF plans will remain secret for now after court blocks release
As more agency layoffs appear imminent, an appeals court has intervened in allowing more details on the plans to be released.
Pay & Benefits
Why a federal program paying employees not to work may violate spending laws
COMMENTARY | Legal scholar Madeline Materna explains why agency officials could be risking more than just bad press.
Management