Management
Postal Service Blames ‘Street Crime’ and Absenteeism for Mail Delays
Lawmakers are looking to make it harder for the agency to slow delivery in the future, while auditor says fixing current problems will be a significant challenge.
Route Fifty
‘An Insurrection’: When Police Reject a City’s Vaccine Mandate
Chicago employees were required to report their vaccination status by Friday or risk losing pay. The local FOP is encouraging officers not to do so.
Oversight
Oversight Group Files Hatch Act Complaint Against White House Press Secretary
While not as “outrageous” as the Trump administration’s actions, that doesn’t “mean we should be casual about compliance with an important ethics law,” the group’s president says.
Management
Democratic Lawmakers Offer Advice for White House Racial Equity Initiative
Reps. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., and Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., stress that agencies must take a data-based approach to ensure underserved communities do not encounter barriers to access federal programs.
Nextgov
DDS Security Clearance Tool Evolves into ‘SITH’ Insider Threat Program
The Defense Digital Service’s automated investigations tool turns to the dark side of insider threat hunting and gets rebranded to match.
Management
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Could Become a Factor in Winning Government Contracts
The Biden administration is looking to use procurement and the budget process to tackle the climate crisis.
Defense
‘You Are Hereby Reprimanded!’ Airman Told to Begin Separation Due to Vaccine Refusal
Airmen, sailors who refuse vaccine are looking at career-ending consequences. Will the church step in?
News
GovExec Daily: How Cities are Using ARPA Money to Cover Lost Revenue
Andrea Noble joins the podcast to discuss how American Rescue Plan Act funds are helping cities stay solvent and continue critical services.
Employee Policy
Report: Few vaccine loopholes for contractors
Over 700,000 people in the U.S. have died of COVID-19. Facing continuing death and morbidity across the economy and government, the White House last month issued executive orders mandating vaccination not only for federal employees, but also federal contractors. A news analysis outlines several major companies' moves to comply with the contractor EO—and predicts very limited success for those who remain in opposition.
Employee Policy
How training fits into cyber workforce development
In a tight market for cyber talent, training is one way to show the workforce you've invested in them, says Jason Gray, the Department of Education's CIO and co-chair of the CIO Council's Workforce Committee.
Defense
Pentagon Orders Texas Contractors to Mandate Vaccines for Employees, Despite Governor’s Ban
The Defense Department says the federal contractor vaccine order supersedes state laws.
Route Fifty
Using Rapid Drug Analysis to Reduce Opioid Overdose Deaths
A partnership between the Maryland State Police and Maryland Department of Health will allow for faster and broader testing of illicit drugs found in the state.
Management
How to Watch the Government Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
A week from now, we’ll honor some of government’s all-time greats—and then some current all-stars.
Management
Lawmakers, Stakeholders Push New Strategies to Reverse Mail Slowdowns and Price Hikes
The changes are "undermining" the Postal Service, House members say.
Oversight
Lawmaker Requests IG Probe Into Trump COVID-19 Food Program
A report from Democratic congressional staff found “serious red flags” with some of the contractors involved in the program.
Pay & Benefits
Open Season To-Do List
Don’t let health insurance decisions and deadlines sneak up on you.
Nextgov
DHS Wants Wearables to Track Employee Health at Work and at Home
The biometric tech will be used to help employees manage physical and mental health in high-stress mission areas.
Workforce
Coronavirus Roundup: Vaccine Rule Submitted to White House; 60% of TSA's Workforce Is Vaccinated
Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Defense
Almost Hijacked? Officials Dispute Scare Amid Ongoing Afghanistan Evac
While the chaos at HKIA is over, the effort to evacuate Afghans is not. Here’s how the U.S. is still getting people out.
Defense