Management

Expansion of collective federal bargaining considered

May report could recommend rule change.

Management

Obama sends up draft bill for reorganization authority

OMB letter to House speaker promises Congress a continuing role in consolidation effort.

Management

Labor Department to consolidate field offices

Move is estimated to save $19 million in two years.

Management

First lady surprises White House tourists

Michelle Obama shakes hands with visitors and introduces them to her dog, Bo.

Pay & Benefits

Tax cut deal boosts retirement contributions for new feds

Democrats stave off proposal that would have required all employees to contribute more to their pensions to pay for unemployment insurance extension.

Management

SBA redefinition of small business draws mixed reactions

New guidelines will qualify 8,000 more firms for federal programs.

Oversight

New agency performance goals called helpful but incomplete

Stewards of government modernization act call for more specific data on progress, more consultation with Congress.

Pay & Benefits

OPM proposes part-time work as step toward retirement

Program could help save $720 million in 10 years, Federal Times reports.

Management

Making Young Employees Feel at Home

Good managers can make a difference in sharpening the critical thinking skills of ‘digital natives’ used to having the answers at the click of a button.

Management

Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself

There was a vastly underrated road trip movie last year starring Zach Galifianakis and Robert Downey Jr. called Due Date. Downey plays an uptight businessman and Galifianakis plays a goofy but lovable stoner. They take a cross-country trip together. Hilarity ensues.

Defense

Senior-level vacancies persist at Homeland Security

Reorganizations, political transitions and retirements are among the factors that affected openings, officials tell watchdog.

Oversight

Former FDA chief leads push to reform his old agency

Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach calls on Congress to 'remake -- not merely tweak' the agency.

Management

HHS and Justice tout collaboration to combat Medicare fraud

In report to Congress, Holder and Sebelius praise health care reform law.

Management

Insiders: Pentagon should not bail out defense contractors

Defense officials say they are prepared to intervene to keep companies afloat amid budget cuts.

Management

Obama budget seeks savings via management reforms

Investments in research and green technology are coupled with consolidation and data-based evaluations.

Oversight

FDA inspectors could be moving to China

Budget allocates $10 million to ensure standards in Chinese food and drug plants.

Management

Budget requests, agency-by-agency

A look at how President's Obama's fiscal 2013 plan would affect major departments.

News

Where Are All the Government Workers?

The Atlantic's Derek Thompson notes that a new Gallup survey shows that nationwide, one in six people work for government at the local, state or federal levels. And no state has fewer than one in nine.