Workforce

OPM Wants to Level the Field for Federal Cyber Talent

The federal government's top human resources official wants agencies to be on an "equal footing" when it comes to hiring cybersecurity professionals.

Defense

The Army Outlines Its Plan to Overcome the ‘Most Challenging’ Recruiting Era Since 1973

The service has already shrunk below the reduced end-strength goal it set with its 2023 budget request.

Workforce

If Trump Is Reelected, His Aides Are Planning to Purge the Civil Service

Officials are looking to revive a controversial order issued in Trump's waning days and have already identified 50,000 federal positions to target.

Employee Policy

Will the vaccine mandate discipline ever begin?

Federal employment attorney Stephanie Rapp-Tully joins our partner site's podcast to discuss the enforcement of the WH's long-delayed rules.

Employee Policy

VA Is 'Closely Watching' the Fate of Abortion Access as It Weighs Offering the Service

The leader of the largest hospital network in the country says he has the authority to change the department's policy.

Employee Policy

Report: If Trump returns, so too could Schedule F

For feds, the danger of a far less advantageous system for public service jobs looms.

Workforce

VA Touts Improvements But Warns of Challenges for Digital GI Bill Platform

The Veterans Benefits Administration is still relying on ‘many legacy IT systems” as part of its digital GI Bill platform, which officials said were causing challenges in keeping up with emerging technologies in congressional testimony on Wednesday.

Workforce

Economist: Abortion Bans Have Dire Economic Effects

The greatest burden of abortion restrictions will likely fall on low-income women and minorities, says economist Luigi Pistaferri.

Management

Jan. 6 Panel: Trump ‘Chose not to Act’ as the U.S. Capitol Underwent Attack

The former president ignored White House staff and advisers who urged the him to call off the riot.

Pay

House clears the way for Biden’s 4.6% pay raise plan

Lawmakers effectively endorsed the president’s pay raise proposal for federal workers Wednesday, although the Senate has yet to weigh in on the issue.

Management

Coronavirus Roundup: White House Promises Transparency Around Biden’s COVID Diagnosis

There’s a lot to keep track of. Here’s a list of this week’s news updates and stories you may have missed.

Oversight

Biden Announces New Climate Change Actions but Holds An Emergency Declaration in Reserve

The president has pledged sweeping action on climate change but struggled to deliver it. A legal scholar explains why a national emergency declaration should be a last resort.

Management

VA Vows to Modernize Its Health Care Network Even After Congress Moves to Defund Its Overhaul Plan

Secretary says the department will not start from scratch as it makes decisions on the future of its health care system, but instead will update data lawmakers criticized as flawed.

Workforce

Biden Officials Are Defending Telework Policies Assailed by Republicans

Officials from OPM and OMB stressed that they are focused on improving agencies’ customer service and reforming the recruitment of early career talent into the federal workforce.

Management

A New Bipartisan Bill Aims to Reform the Presidential Transition Process

The bill addresses issues raised during the highly unprecedented 2021 presidential transition.

Employee Policy

Court reconsiders WH authority on fed contractor vax mandate

A federal appeals court is once again weighing in on the president's COVID vaccine mandate for contractors.

Nextgov

Internal VA Email Calls Postponement of EHR Rollout to Boise ‘Part of the Process’ 

The message to staff said that "more could be done" to streamline planned deployment of new health record software at Boise VA Medical Center.

Management

OMB Unpauses Its Plan to Rethink the Federal Property Footprint

Agencies have a December deadline for developing real property capital plans. The administration wants them to think about how their property needs might change after COVID-19.