Workforce
Coronavirus Roundup: Pentagon Increases Occupancy Levels; Top Intelligence Official Says COVID-19 Origin May Not Be Fully Known
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Management
Transforming HR for the ‘New Normal’
Kiran Ahuja, the newly confirmed director of the Office of Personnel Management, faces a monumental task.
Workforce
Researchers: Career Metrics Uphold Racism, Sexism in Science
The publication and citation metrics that mark career success for academic researchers ensure that racism and sexism maintain their hold, an essay argues.
Workforce
GovExec Daily: How to Shrink the Racial Wealth Gap
McKinsey's JP Julien joins the podcast to discuss a recent study on Black economic mobility.
Employee Policy
FEW to hold leadership training event
Federally Employed Women (FEW) will hold a virtual leadership training event this August, offering over a 100 different courses. For over 50 years, the group has been helping advance women in the federal workplace. Check out the plan.
Employee Policy
OPM: Ahuja confirmed as director
Kiran Ahuja has been confirmed as director at OPM, with V.P. Kamala Harris casting the tiebreaking vote in the Senate.
Pay & Benefits
White House Pledges ‘Multi-Year Strategy’ for Boosting Federal Workforce
Hiring and pay raises are priorities, and key lawmakers say the 2022 increase is on track.
Nextgov
Defense Digital Service Director Used Signal App In Violation of Pentagon Policy, IG Says
The DOD Office of Inspector General found evidence that outgoing DDS Director Brett Goldstein also encouraged subordinates to use the encrypted messaging app.
Management
Global Media Agency Seeks Feedback on Next Strategic Plan
The upcoming plan will span fiscal years 2022 to 2026.
Nextgov
Reps Call for Review Into Alleged FBI ‘Misconduct’ Against Chinese Scientist Accused of Spying
They asked the Inspector General to launch a new investigation.
Management
Senate Confirms Ahuja as OPM Director in Close Vote
With Vice President Kamala Harris breaking a tie, lawmakers installed the first permanent director for the federal government’s HR agency in more than a year.
Oversight
Many More Secret Service Employees Tested Positive for COVID-19 Than Previously Known
A report from a nonprofit group shows nearly 900 cases in the first year of the pandemic.
Defense
‘This May Not Be The Big One’: Army Scientists Warn of Deadlier Pandemics to Come
The service is closing in on a “pan-coronavirus” vaccine and on synthetic antibodies that could protect a population before spread. But that may not be enough.
Management
GovExec Daily: The Pandemic and the ‘Summer of Freedom’
Courtney Bublé joins the podcast to discuss the upcoming D.C. July 4 celebration and other COVID-19 stories.
Employee Policy
DOD watchdog says DDS director didn't mistreat employees
DOD investigators report they did not find evidence to support allegations of workplace bullying by outgoing Defense Digital Service Director Brett Goldstein.
Employee Policy
VHA: Bargaining rights within reach
Collective bargaining rights remain denied to tens of thousands of Veterans Health Administration doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers. But the VA Employee Fairness Act bill, passed by the House Veterans Affairs Committee, could change all that.
Route Fifty
Segregation Has Grown Worse in Most Big Metros, Analysis Finds
"These findings were as startling as they were disturbing," says one of the study authors.
Oversight
Watchdog: Army Corps of Engineers Should Reevaluate Border Contracting Strategies
The agency said while President Trump’s border emergency was “largely undefined,” it’s considering changes for emergency responses.
Nextgov