Management
Coronavirus Roundup: HHS is Establishing a New Office Focused on Long COVID
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s this week’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Tech
Text Messages Are Federal Records and Must Be Saved, DoD Orders
After news that Jan. 6 insurrection-related texts were wiped from former Pentagon officials’ phones, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks ordered data on department devices must be retained.
Oversight
Senate Panel Works Over Bill to Assure Peaceful Transfers of Power
The Electoral Count Act has become a recent concern following the Jan. 6 insurrection
Employee Policy
These are the agencies federal employees are leaving at the highest rates
After jumping during the pandemic, the government's overall attrition rate has stabilized.
Benefits
After a long delay, Congress approves a bill to provide care to more vets
The measure to spend nearly $6 billion on new workforce incentives, while authorizing 31 new facilities, now heads to President Biden for his signature.
Workforce
Don’t Fear the Public Service Reform Act
A former chief human capital officer says it is time to re-center and simplify the rules to balance individual fairness and organizational effectiveness in the federal government.
Oversight
GovExec Daily: Criminal Referrals at the Border and Immigration Policy
Syracuse University's Austin Kocher joins the podcast to his latest immigration research.
Workforce
The Federal Labor Authority Has Substantiated Union Accusations against EEOC Over Reentry
The federal anti-discrimination agency said it was committed to bargaining “in good faith” with its labor representatives but stopped short of committing to roll back its unilaterally implemented reentry plan.
Workforce
Postal Employees Voice Major Concerns as USPS Begins Implementing Its Delivery Consolidation Plan
Postal management says the changes will save money and lead to better working conditions.
Management
The HHS Declares Monkeypox a Public Health Emergency
This comes after weeks of pressure as the virus spread throughout the country.
Pay & Benefits
What You Need to Know About Social Security and Federal Retirement
The latest on this key element of the government’s retirement package.
Oversight
A New Bill Seeks to Prevent the Secret Service from Withholding Records from its Watchdog
“While I share the concerns of my colleagues about the actions of the current inspector general, it is also clear the Secret Service tried to impede the inspector general’s investigation into the events of Jan. 6,” said Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn.
Employee Policy
FEMA and CDC officials will lead federal monkeypox response
The Biden administration has not declared monkeypox a national public health emergency yet.
Employee Policy
Senate Dems join push to block Schedule F
As Republican groups discuss plans to reinstitute the controversial plan to strip tens of thousands of federal workers of their civil service protections, congressional Democrats have renewed their efforts to block it.
Employee Policy
'Independent state legislature doctrine' could end 200 years of progress, take power from the people
A doctrine embraced by some conservatives could be adopted by the Supreme Court. If they do, Americans’ political power will be dramatically limited.
Employee Policy
A top Senate Democrat asks Defense watchdog to investigate more missing Jan. 6 texts
“I don’t know whether the failure to preserve these critical government texts from Jan. 6 is the result of bad faith, stunning incompetence, or outdated records management policies, but we must get to the bottom of it,” said Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill.
Oversight
‘We Need Your Help’: Election Officials Ask Congress to Better Address Harassment Ahead of Midterms
Women make up the overwhelming majority of the election workforce, and many are facing threats in the wake of lies spread about the integrity of the 2020 election.
Workforce
Data-Driven HR Management Faces Uphill Climb
While data can help state and local human resources agencies make better decisions, legacy technology, skills gaps and staff resistance can stand in the way, a new report says.
Management
GovExec Daily: The Decision That May Upset the Administrative State
Don Kettl joins the podcast to discuss the Supreme Court's decision that could change the regulatory state.
Management