Oversight
Groups claim data on federal employees’ salaries is misleading
News analysis indicates that the number of government workers earning more than six figures has spiked during the last two years.
Pay & Benefits
Bill with 2 percent pay raise awaits Obama’s signature
For the first time in recent years, civilian federal employees are headed for a lower increase than members of the military.
Pay & Benefits
Obama gives feds half day off on Christmas Eve
A little extra time when Christmas falls on a Friday is a presidential holiday tradition.
Pay & Benefits
As Open Season ends, feds’ full attention turns to health care reform
Bills contain caps on flexible spending accounts and possible changes to federal employees’ health insurance costs.
Oversight
Senate leader files cloture on spending bill with 2 percent pay raise
Vote on the nearly $450 billion fiscal 2010 spending omnibus package is scheduled for Sunday.
Pay & Benefits
Open Season Wrap-Up
A last look at key health insurance questions, especially for those nearing retirement.
Pay & Benefits
Leveling Off
Some NSPS employees will see lower pay raises as the General Schedule transition begins.
Oversight
Obama creates labor-management council
The executive order does not include expanded bargaining power favored by unions.
Pay & Benefits
Lawmakers back 2 percent raise, but nix locality pay freeze
Congressional negotiators follow president’s request for overall raise, but set aside a portion of the increase as locality pay.
Pay & Benefits
Unions say Senate health bill tax provisions would ‘devastate’ FEHBP
New reports detail effects of excise tax and insurer fees on the federal plan.
Defense
Defense sexual assault programs need more resources, panel says
Department must standardize programs across the services and stabilize funding, according to task force.
Oversight
Proposal to beef up OPM role in health care met with skepticism
Some fear that expanding agency’s portfolio could adversely affect federal employees’ coverage.
Pay & Benefits
Senators seek to force Congress, political appointees out of FEHBP
Move would require them to join public option system embodied in health care reform.
Pay & Benefits
OPM could get role running national health plan
Agency had been considered for role administering public option; now Senators weigh putting agency in charge of national health exchange.
Pay & Benefits
Bill caps flexible spending account contributions
The Senate version of the health care reform legislation would limit FSA contributions to $2,500 beginning in 2011.
Pay & Benefits
Maturity and Youth
Answers to key open season questions about federal health plan coverage for those over 65 and children turning 22.
Oversight
Bill would require agencies to recognize security clearances governmentwide
Bipartisan legislation is similar to 2008 executive order aimed at streamlining background checks on federal employees and contractors.
Pay & Benefits
For Leave or Money
Managers urged to use time off to attract senior talent, but flexibility highlights concerns about accrual policies.
Oversight
From Nextgov.com: VA nixes troubled tech projects
The department ends or slashes funding for 15 IT projects as part of new accountability program.
Pay & Benefits