Pay & Benefits
Federal health program is headed for calmer waters in 2011
FEHBP participants aren’t likely to see major upheaval between now and the start of next open season, observer says.
Pay & Benefits
Threats of violence against IRS employees persist
Watchdog report details assaults and bomb scares as well as IG’s moves to centralize data to better gauge which threats are most serious.
Defense
Marines set 90-day civilian hiring freeze
‘Pause’ aimed at meeting Defense Secretary Robert Gates’ order to trim overhead spending.
Defense
Volunteers give back to service members this holiday season
Many nonprofits offer alternative gift-giving ideas that support the troops.
Defense
Senate backers of ‘don’t ask’ repeal to pursue new tactic
Lieberman and Collins will introduce stand-alone legislation that would overturn the gay ban.
Pay & Benefits
Obama signs telework expansion act
Agencies will have about six months to establish formal policies on working outside the office and to notify eligible employees.
Oversight
Agencies’ recruitment efforts show promise
Strategies for hiring veterans, disabled workers and other candidates are improving, report finds.
Pay & Benefits
Congress passes bill allowing military families and retirees to keep their doctors
The bill would prevent a 25 percent cut to payments for physicians participating in the Medicare and TRICARE programs.
Pay & Benefits
Crunch Time
Only a few legislative days remain for Congress to extend transit benefits available to government workers.
Oversight
Spending bill freezes agency budgets, employee pay
House lawmakers push measure forward as Senate continues to work on its version.
Defense
Senate will consider 'don't ask, don’t tell' tonight
A vote will be part of a defense measure this evening.
Pay & Benefits
OPM updates sick leave policies
Final rule expands eligibility and provides leave guidance on communicable diseases to agencies.
Pay & Benefits
Analysis: Remedies beyond the pay freeze
With agencies facing rising retirements and attrition, the two-year run-up to the next election is a good time to revamp the General Schedule.
Pay & Benefits
Health insurance choices can ease the pain of the pay freeze
Smart planning during open season can save feds enough money to offset the cost of forgoing a raise, observer says.
Defense
McKeon insists on hearing from the military on ‘don’t ask’
Presumptive House Armed Services chairman says he wants to hear from the chiefs of the military services and field commanders on repealing ban.
Pay & Benefits
Medicare Wrap-Up
Questions and answers for those pondering their retirement health insurance options during this open season.
Oversight
Postal Service embraces reform legislation
Federal officials support measures increasing agency’s flexibility, but union leaders fight Saturday delivery proposal.
Pay & Benefits