Workforce
Federal Workplaces Aren’t Safe — My Husband Died After Contracting COVID-19 in One
A visibly sick co-worker and insufficient safety protocols created unnecessary risk at a Virginia facility.
Management
The Justice Department May Have Violated Attorney General Barr’s Own Policy Memo
In a memo from May, the attorney general reminded Justice Dept. prosecutors to avoid partisan politics. Then a U.S. attorney in Pennsylvania announced an election investigation that had partisan overtones.
Pay & Benefits
GovExec Daily: The State of the Payroll Tax Deferral
Erich Wagner joins the podcast to discuss the latest pay and benefits news.
Route Fifty
Trump Says He Is Shutting Down Covid-19 Stimulus Negotiations Until After the Election
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin had been in discussions with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi over a possible new deal.
Management
USPS, CBP Not Implementing Law to Stop Flow of Opioids Into the Country
The Postal Service is not receiving the data that makes it easier to detect illicit goods coming from overseas.
Management
Opioid Use Among Injured Federal Workers Fell Sharply Since 2017
The director of the Labor Department’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs says that efforts to mitigate dependence on addictive pain medication are paying off.
Management
Trump Orders Agencies to Tackle Coronavirus-Related Mental Health Challenges
A multi-agency working group must develop a plan within 45 days.
Pay & Benefits
Lawmakers Revive Push to Make Feds’ Payroll Tax Deferral Optional
The effort to pressure the Trump administration into allowing federal employees to opt out of the controversial initiative to delay collection of Social Security taxes until next year is now bipartisan.
Workforce
Coronavirus Roundup: White House Objects to FDA’s Proposed Vaccine Guidelines; EPA Union Members Vote ‘No Confidence’ on Wheeler
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Management
What Stakeholder Public Service Would Look Like
Leading companies have made commitments to their employees. Government should do the same.
Oversight
GovExec Daily: The Census Deadline
Eric Katz joins the podcast to discuss the Census Bureau's work on the 2020 count.
Route Fifty
Texas AG Says He Won’t Resign After Staff Accuse Him of Bribery and Other Wrongdoing
STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | Thousands of kids in Miami-Dade return to classrooms … Maine’s marijuana industry expected to get off to a sputtering start … de Blasio, Cuomo at odds over shutdown orders in some New York City neighborhoods.
Route Fifty
Local, State Officials Scramble to Recreate Covid-19 Restrictions After Court Strikes Michigan Governor’s Orders
The Michigan Supreme Court found that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer did not have the authority to extend emergency coronavirus orders this spring, invalidating dozens of restrictions she put in place without collaboration with state lawmakers.
Management
How Federal Managers Can Improve Hiring Practices Right Now
We need to stop thinking of this as a selection process and start imagining what we can do to recruit better.
Pay & Benefits
Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Protect All Feds’ Leave Following COVID
Although OPM’s current policy only waives the 30-day annual leave cap for essential employees who are unable to use their leave due to their duties responding to the coronavirus pandemic, Democrats in Congress want to extend the waiver to all federal workers.
Management
Biden Promises Cash Infusion, End of Prefunding Mandate for USPS
Former vice president says he would never privatize the Postal Service.
Nextgov
DHS Exempts Expanded Insider Threat Program From Key Privacy Act Provisions
The agency will be allowed to collect large amounts of data without having to follow several provisions regarding disclosure, relevance and the sharing of that information.
Management
OPM Memo Puts Pause on Diversity Training Across Government
The Trump administration is pushing forward with its controversial purge of training it deems “un-American.”
Workforce
Fauci and Other Exceptional Feds to Be Honored at Service to America Awards
Ten government winners among 27 finalists will be recognized at the annual “Oscars of government service.”
Management