Route Fifty
The 311 Lifeline: How Governments Enhanced Call Centers During the Pandemic
State and municipal governments established special hotlines or expanded the type of services residents could access through 311 call centers during the pandemic.
Workforce
OPM Encourages Agencies to Expand Telework, Remote Work Permanently in New Guidance
The Office of Personnel Management on Friday issued its first major update to its telework guide in a decade.
Workforce
Coronavirus Roundup: Postal Service Expresses Concerns on Vaccine Rule; EPA Union Reaches Agreement on Vaccine Mandate
Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Management
Diversity in Government Digital Services a Win-Win
Investing in minority- and women-owned small companies is a smart choice for both agencies and the customers they serve.
Management
Biden Announces FDA Commissioner Nominee
Dr. Robert Califf previously led the agency for a brief stint.
Defense
Poll: Veterans Say US Left Afghanistan Without Honor, and They Want to Talk About It
70 percent of Americans surveyed said they have “never” or “rarely” talked to a veteran about the war.
Management
White House Clarifies Contractor Vaccination Deadline
GSA launched a tracker this week to monitor compliance with the mandate.
Oversight
$1.2T Infrastructure Plan Offers Lucrative Target for Fraud
Research shows there are ways to fight fraud, but the bill contains very little language aimed at doing so.
Workforce
GovExec Daily: Planning for Office Reentry
Erich Wagner speaks to two agency human capital officers about the future of work.
Pay & Benefits
Health, Taxes and Savings
Why high deductible health plans are growing in popularity.
Workforce
Why Ageism Should Be an Urgent Issue For Everyone
“COVID hit us over the head with a two-by-four," says the executive director of the Maine Council on Aging.
Nextgov
CISA Director to Appoint Hackers to Cybersecurity Advisory Committee
Security researchers have a crucial role to play in balancing an offense-heavy ecosystem, the director said.
Route Fifty
States Decide if Workers Fired Over Vaccine Mandates Can Collect Unemployment
When employers fire people because they fail to follow company policy, employees are generally not eligible for benefits. But three states have or could make non compliant workers eligible.
Workforce
Percentage of Veterans in the Federal Workforce Stagnates at 31%
The Interagency Veterans Advisory Council is looking to boost that, as well as increase representation of veterans in the Senior Executive Service.
Defense
Air Force-Backed Startup Reveals Hypersonic Aircraft Prototype
The company fired the drone’s afterburning engine during a ceremony in Atlanta.
Workforce
AFGE Calls on Administration to Delay Vaccine Mandate for Feds
The union’s leader said the recent delay in enforcement of the vaccine mandate for contractors sets up a “double standard” in federal workplaces.
Management
Almost 150 Groups Call for Better Whistleblower Protections for Contractors, Grantees
The diverse coalition sent a letter to Congress on Wednesday.
Nextgov
Air Force to Build New Center to Study and Enhance Directed Energy Capabilities
Experts expect the technology to play a major role in some future weapon systems.
Workforce
5 Ways to Turn Your Anxiety into Something Useful
The author of a new book has some tips on how you can transform your anxiety into a "superpower." One tip is as simple as looking at your phone les
Workforce