Route Fifty
The Census Already Started in Alaska. Native Translators Are Working to Prevent Undercount Repeat
Across the country, tribal and non-English speaking communities are creating guidance and messages in a variety of languages to encourage Census 2020 participation.
Workforce
It’s Becoming Rarer for Federal Agencies and Employees to Settle Over Adverse Actions
And employees who take their cases to a judge are increasingly losing.
Management
Administrative Law Judges Union Asks Court to Intervene in Impasses Case
Union says two labor-management panels ignored calls to address constitutional complaints related to how the president appoints members of the Federal Service Impasses Panel.
Nextgov
Pentagon Announces Final Version of Cyber Standards for Contractors
Mythbusting officials explain why the Defense Department’s certification plan will have a slow rollout.
Management
Homeland Security Kicks Off Efforts to Combat Human Trafficking, Other Risks at the Super Bowl
Department personnel are also working to prevent sales of counterfeit goods and head off any potential security threats.
Route Fifty
A Few Companies Are Experimenting with Four-Day Workweeks. One State Lawmaker Wants to Follow
In Washington, a state lawmaker wants to start a discussion about shifting to a 32-hour workweek.
Defense
Sailors Work to Bring the USS Ford to Life — and Fix Its Remaining Glitches
The $13 billion carrier hosted five types of aircraft — and about 100 very busy elevator technicians — on a key voyage off the Virginia coast.
Workforce
Whistleblower Protection Agency, Judge Clash Over Which Feds to Protect From Reprisal
A narrow interpretation of a new law could discourage federal employees from reporting wrongdoing, agency says.
Management
Trump Administration Acknowledges Mistake in Supreme Court Age Discrimination Case
Solicitor General Noel Francisco backs down on statement that there are multiple legal avenues besides the Age Discrimination in Employment Act under which federal workers could pursue an age discrimination claim.
Nextgov
GSA Wants More Ideas To Stop Fake Commenters From Flooding Rulemaking Process
The General Services Administration took over management of the eRulemaking portal last year with a mandate to crack down on fraudulent commenting.
Route Fifty
States With Most Jobs Losses Due to Trade Gap With China Identified in New Report
All 50 states have seen jobs eroded as a result of the country’s growing trade deficit with China over the past 20 years, the research found.
Management
IRS Chief Acknowledges Budget Constraints, But Says He Is Confident the Agency Can Handle Tax Season
Two advantages over last year are that the agency is not recovering from a shutdown or implementing a new tax law, former commissioners note.
Route Fifty
In Two States, Debates Over the Ethics of Paid Surrogacy
Lawmakers in New York, one of only three states where paid surrogacy is illegal, are trying to repeal their ban. Meanwhile, in South Dakota, legislators say surrogacy has led to the commercialization of children and want to prohibit it.
Pay & Benefits
Things You May Not Know About Annual Pay and Benefits Increases
The differences between COLAs and salary hikes.
Management
2020 Democrats Are Already Giving Up on Congress
They know their grand progressive plans could stall out on Capitol Hill. So they’re embracing executive authority instead—just like the man they hope to defeat.
Defense
Now It's 64. Wounded Troop Tally from Iran Missile Strike Rises Again
Trump “understands the nature” of brain injuries, says Defense Secretary Esper after the president downplayed Americans’ wounds as not “serious.”
Workforce
Postal Workers Union Endorses Bernie Sanders
Labor group calls Sanders a champion of USPS employees who will fight to preserve the mailing agency.
Oversight
Questions Linger on How State Dept. Employees Will Carry Out New 'Birth Tourism' Policy
The rule "almost demands discrimination in order for it to be implemented," said an expert.
Management
Analysis: Coronavirus Is Coming—And Trump Isn’t Ready
In order to combat the disease, the president will have to trust the kind of government experts he has disdained and dismissed.
Management