Employee Policy
Biden uses SOTU speech to call feds back to office, increase oversight
In his first State of the Union address, President Biden laid out new goals for agencies to accomplish—and offered ideas on where the work toward them should take place.
Pay
Overtime settlement for VA medical workers progresses
The suit, which claimed unpaid overtime for thousands of medical workers, was settled last year—and is now advancing toward payout.
Workforce
A Major Federal Employee Union Is Ready to Fight for Better Pay, Benefits and Workplace Protections
NTEU began its annual legislative conference Tuesday.
Management
Federal Agencies Can Relax Their Mask and Testing Requirements
The Safer Federal Workforce Task Force updated its guidance following new guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Management
The U.S. Global Media Agency Is Working to Protect Journalists While Covering the Ukraine War
Voice of America and others are combating censorship attempts from Russia.
Pay & Benefits
Nearly All TSP Funds Have Fallen for a Second Straight Month
Only two of the portfolios in the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program ended February in the black.
Oversight
States Likely to Resist CDC Proposal Easing Opioid Access
Forty states limit the number of days a painkiller prescription can last.
Defense
Ukraine Offers to Pay Russians Who Surrender, While Pentagon Assesses Moscow’s Nuke Posture
As logistics woes slow Russian drive, Kyiv dangles 5-million-ruble payment.
Oversight
U.S. Plans New Safety Rules to Crack Down on Carbon Monoxide Poisoning from Portable Generators
The announcement comes two months after an investigation by ProPublica, The Texas Tribune and NBC News detailed the deadly cost of the government’s failure to regulate portable generators.
Management
Four Black Women Became Classmates, Roommates and Lifelong Sisters. One of Them Is Now a Historic Nominee for the Supreme Court.
Errin Haines spoke to longtime friends of Ketanji Brown Jackson as she is poised to break a new barrier.
Workforce
GovExec Daily: Building a Bridge Between Researchers and Policymakers
Dr. Donald Kettl joins the podcast to discuss how the Biden administration can better bridge the gap toward greater mission success.
Employee Policy
Report: Less telework ahead for feds
A media report this week cites multiple official sources that indicate high levels of telework seen since the dawn of the COVID pandemic are likely to be curtailed relatively quickly in the coming months at many federal agencies. The intensifying moves come as a White House push, with hospitalizations and deaths beginning to trend downward, particularly among vaccinated persons.
Tech
Ukraine Conflict Brings Cybersecurity Risks to U.S. Homes, Businesses
Russia’s cyberattack capabilities can be applied to U.S. targets, including regular Americans’ homes and businesses.
Workforce
Lawmakers Eye Rolling Back Controversial VA Workforce Law, As the Department and Union Begin Negotiations
A bipartisan bill would effectively take two portions of the 2017 VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act that were nullified by federal courts off the books.
Management
Congress Has Approved a Measure to Push More FDA and NIH Funds to Their Private Sector Foundations
Lawmakers say the legislation, soon to be signed into law by President Biden, will help bridge gaps between the federal and private sectors to address current and future health crises.
Nextgov
Despite U.S.-Russia Tensions, the First All-Commercial Flight to ISS is Still On
An initial launch is set for late March, officials confirmed.
Oversight
The Park Police’s ‘Dilapidated’ D.C. Dispatch Office Puts Safety at Risk, an IG Says
Holes in the roof allowing water and bird droppings through and possible black mold are among the issues, as well as problems with staffing and training.
Employee Policy
Biden’s SCOTUS pick comes with experience on fed employee issues
Ketanji Brown Jackson—currently a key federal appeals court judge and Biden’s pick to fill a looming Supreme Court vacancy—overturned three Trump administration EOs that had made it easier to fire feds and squeeze union bargaining rights.
Management
Biden’s Latest Border Moves Spur Criticism that He’s Continuing Wall Construction
The administration says it’s filling in wall gaps for agent safety and flood control, and documents suggest an environmental assessment for 86 miles of wall in South Texas is a stalling tactic.
Management