Route Fifty
Officials Aim to Diversify the U.S. Quantum Workforce Early On
As experts unleash efforts to attract the future workforce, they are also being deliberate about ensuring the budding field is inclusive from the start.
Tech
The U.S. Just Set Ambitious Offshore Wind Power Targets – What Will It Take to Meet Them?
To increase renewable energy use, the Biden administration wants the U.S. to go from seven offshore wind turbines today to enough to power 10 million homes within a decade.
Workforce
GovExec Daily: The Future of Federal Workforce Priorities and Protections
GovExec's Erich Wagner speaks to NTEU's Tony Reardon on the podcast about the federal employees and the future.
Pay & Benefits
OPM Finalizes Rule Ensuring Feds Can Change Insurance During Shutdowns
During the 35-day government shutdown, some workers were unable to make changes to their health benefits because the employees responsible for processing those changes were furloughed.
Workforce
Postal Service Indicates Layoffs Could Be on the Horizon
USPS says it hopes to find landing spots for impacted workers as it implements "administrative reductions."
Pay & Benefits
Now’s the Time to Improve Your Financial Literacy
How would you finish this sentence: “I need to become more financially…”
Oversight
Over 200 Groups Call for Whistleblower Reform for Public Servants
Several federal employee organizations signed onto the letter to President Biden and congressional leaders.
Pay & Benefits
TSP Returns Mostly Positive in March
Only two of the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program ended last month in the red.
Management
Former Top Trump Official Recounts Early Days of the Pandemic
Joe Grogan was Domestic Policy Council director and a White House COVID task force member.
Nextgov
Why the Army Elevated Its Enterprise Cloud Office to Agency Status
Director Paul Puckett explained the move is a recognition that cloud computing is not a temporary project.
Management
'No Good Choices:' HHS Is Cutting Safety Corners to Move Migrant Kids Out of Overcrowded Facilities
After ignoring signs that shelters were filling quickly, agencies are scrambling to get thousands of kids out of Border Patrol jails. But new “emergency” facilities skirt safety standards, while facilities accused of abuse are still getting grants.
Workforce
GovExec Daily: Mental Health in the Workplace
Steve Seiden, President and founder of Acquired Data Solutions, joins the podcast to discuss the import of emotional health at work.
Management
OPM Appointments Mark a Radical Shift in Agency's Role
The hiring of high-level executives from organized labor marks a return to federal employee unions having a seat at the table in the formulation of federal personnel policy.
Management
Biden Proposes $28B to Revamp Federal Buildings, More for Electrified Federal Fleet
The $2 trillion infrastructure proposal includes reshaping how federal buildings are funded and a new directive for the Postal Service.
Nextgov
CISA Orders Agencies to Conduct Fresh Scans of Microsoft Exchange Servers
The agency issued supplemental guidance requiring new tests with Microsoft-provided tools and measures to harden the attractive target.
Nextgov
Microsoft to Produce Augmented Reality Headsets Under $21B Army Contract
The Army’s Integrated Visual Augmentation system headset is based on Microsoft’s HoloLens gaming device.
Pay & Benefits
The Pay Implications of Temporary Border Details, and More
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Oversight
Thirty-Five Trump Appointees Have Converted to Career Federal Jobs Over the Last Year
Six more Trump-era politicals who sought to "burrow in" at the 11th hour are currently pending review.
Workforce
Coronavirus Roundup: Infrastructure Plan Addresses Future Pandemics; Non-Tax Filers to Receive Stimulus Payment by April 7
Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Management