Workforce
Coronavirus Roundup: Injunction on Health Care Workers Vaccine Mandate Amended
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Defense
Three Soldiers to Receive Medal of Honor
The awards are for actions during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
Workforce
Will Federal Employees Get Extra Time Off at Christmas?
Since Christmas falls on a Saturday this year, feds are likely to just get off that Friday.
Defense
Congress Had the Votes to Overhaul How the Military Handles Serious Crimes. Why Didn’t It?
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand says that despite rare bipartisan backing, ‘four men, in a closed room’ blocked long-sought changes to how the military handles sexual assault and other major justice issues.
Defense
State Guards’ Vaccine Refusal Sets Up Fight with Feds
Six governors are rejecting the Pentagon’s order to inoculate their troops against COVID. Is a lawsuit next?
Defense
Congress Votes to Eliminate ‘Pink Tax’ on Military Uniforms
The $770 billion National Defense Authorization Act includes changes to out-of-pocket uniform costs and the reporting of sexual assault cases
Management
Experts Worry They Can’t Count On the CDC’s COVID Vaccination Rates
The CDC’s vaccine tracker website reported numbers that conflicted with state records for weeks. What happened?
Workforce
GovExec Daily: How the Administration Got Most Feds Vaccinated
Eric Katz joins the podcast to discuss his story on the ways the White House got a better than 90% compliance rate with its vaccine mandate.
Management
Biden Administration Faces Pushback Against Its Upcoming Agency Facility Closures
Agencies are asking employees to "uproot everything" and harming constituents, critics say.
Pay & Benefits
Biden Orders ‘Streamlined’ Loan Forgiveness Program for Feds
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Oversight
Republicans Try to Undo Health Care Worker Vaccine Mandate
This is similar to the attempt to block the private business vaccine rule.
Defense
Army Bring-Your-Own-Device Experiments Test New Security Concepts
The service is “setting the stage” to try new communications ideas in the Pacific.
Oversight
Liberals ‘Need to Get On the Defense Committees,’ If They Want Change
“At this point, I think defense is just not that important to progressives one way or the other,” said one expert after Democrats came away from negotiations empty handed.
Workforce
GovExec Daily: How to Manage Working Parents During the Pandemic
Dr. Ellen Ernst Kossek joins the podcast to discuss how managers can help their employees' work-life balance.
Route Fifty
8 States Ask for Further Interest Reprieve on Unemployment Loans
An interest waiver on the federal loans to states expired in September. Now states that face millions in borrowing costs are looking for more of a break.
Management
Congress Approves Borrowing Limit Increase, Punting Debt Default Furloughs to 2023
Republicans rejected the increase but paved the way for its passage.
Management
Biden’s Leadership Vacancies at Interior Recall Trump’s Track Record
The department plays a pivotal role in fulfilling many of the administration’s goals. It deserves more than temporary minders.
Nextgov
Better Collaboration Needed Between 18F, USDS To Reduce Overlap, GAO Says
A GAO audit suggests the two offices need to improve communication of IT guidance to reduce overlap and contradiction for federal agencies.
Management
Biden’s FDA Pick to Prioritize Workforce Retention, Trust
Dr. Robert Califf already served in the role under the Obama administration.
Workforce