Pay & Benefits
OPM: Some Feds' Leave Canceled Because of COVID-19 Will Be Restored
The federal government's HR agency said it will issue regulations allowing for agencies to restore federal workers' use-or-lose annual leave if it is canceled due to essential coronavirus response work.
Workforce
Coronavirus Roundup: Watchdog Finds Issues With HHS Emergency Responders’ Training; FDA Expands Its Data Gathering Efforts
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Management
The Trump Administration Paid Millions for Test Tubes — and Got Unusable Mini Soda Bottles
The plastic tubes supplied for coronavirus testing by Fillakit, a first-time federal contractor with a sketchy owner, don’t even fit the racks used to analyze samples. And they may be contaminated anyway.
Oversight
Democratic Senators Call for USAID to Investigate Anti-LGBT, Anti-Muslim Comments by Appointees
The Democrats’ request comes as the agency grapples with internal frustration over its approach to racism and bias.
Management
There's No Going Back, But Be Wary of the 'New Normal'
Like it or not, you're now in the change business.
Management
GovExec Daily: Security and the November Election
Mark Testoni, CEO of SAP National Security Services, joins the podcast to discuss how government can thwart threats to the upcoming election.
Oversight
Watchdog: HHS Hasn't Done Enough to Catalog Reports of Sexual Misconduct in Migrant Children Facilities
In a six month period in 2018, the Health and Human Services Department IG found more than 700 possible sexual incidents of varying severity, including 48 incidents of misconduct by an adult against a minor.
Management
Pandemic Response and Racial Justice Efforts Delay 2021 Spending Process, Increasing Risk of a Shutdown
Bipartisan attempts to avoid a lapse in appropriations this fall hit a snag.
Nextgov
NSA Revises Guidance on Teleworking Services for Government Users
The agency now notes end-to-end encryption may not be an option for some use cases.
Oversight
Inspector General for 2008 Economic Recovery Program Offers Lessons for Pandemic Oversight
“We'll do whatever we can to help [the special IG for pandemic recovery] be successful,” says Christy Goldsmith Romero in an interview with Government Executive.
Route Fifty
As Coronavirus Spreads, So Do Mandatory Mask Policies
More state and local leaders are passing mandatory mask policies—including California on Thursday—to help slow the spread of coronavirus, which is rising in some places as restrictions are loosened.
Route Fifty
Virus is Squeezing State and Local Public Workers’ Personal Finances, Survey Finds
Employees are also worried about the amount of debt they are carrying, while some said they will save less for retirement.
Workforce
Coronavirus Roundup: New Concerns About Vaccine Effort; Revised Cleaning Standards for Federal Offices
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Nextgov
NSA Piloting Secure Domain Name System Service for Defense Contractors
The effort is meant to help small- and medium-sized companies get more bang for their cybersecurity buck.
Defense
New Space Strategy Is Heavy on ‘Winning,’ Light on Details
The first major update in nine years set out more forceful goals, but leaves gaps.
Management
Facing a COVID-19 Resurgence and Unable to Act
Coronavirus cases are going up, but lockdowns seem less realistic than ever.
Oversight
How — and When — Can the Coronavirus Vaccine Become a Reality?
It is likely we’ll eventually have a coronavirus vaccine — but perhaps not as quickly as some expect. From development, to clinical trials and distribution, ProPublica reporter Caroline Chen explains the tremendous challenges that lie ahead.
Management
Juneteenth History Highlights Long Fight For Black Freedom
Even though Juneteenth marks the emancipation of the last slaves in bondage in the United States, it wasn’t the end of Black people’s struggle for freedom after slavery, a historian argues.
Management