Defense
From Nextgov.com: Homeland Security authorized to hire up to 1,000 cybersecurity specialists
The department doesn’t expect to hire that many, but the authorization will streamline recruitment efforts, said a department official.
Pay & Benefits
Proposal to end federal health plan is off the table
Watered-down provision would apply to members of Congress and Capitol Hill staffers, but not to federal employees.
Pay & Benefits
Pricey Premiums
Some FEHBP enrollees are suffering from sticker shock, but it could be worse.
Pay & Benefits
Key players debate how to lower prescription drug costs for feds
Allowing OPM to negotiate a single drug benefit for FEHBP enrollees was among proposals discussed during private meeting on the Hill.
Pay & Benefits
Federal employees’ health insurance premiums to rise 8.8 percent
Personnel officials have started meeting with major insurance carriers to explore ways to drive down prices.
Pay & Benefits
More senior executives are earning bigger bonuses
Ratings are to be expected for government's elite corps, says Bill Bransford of the Senior Executives Association.
Pay & Benefits
Bill could offset Medicare premium increases for federal retirees
Legislation affects those in the Civil Service Retirement System who do not receive Social Security payments.
Defense
Wars stretch Army and Marine Corps particularly thin
The demand for soldiers in Afghanistan is rising faster than the supply is falling in Iraq.
Pay & Benefits
Most NSPS employees headed for full 2010 pay raise
Defense Secretary Robert Gates says all but the worst performers will receive at least the same boost as General Schedule workers.
Pay & Benefits
Committee leader scales back proposal to end FEHBP
Modified language would allow, but not require, federal employees to leave the government’s plan; GOP senator continues to advocate stronger version.
Pay & Benefits
Gala recognizes top civil servants
Dr. Janet Kemp of the Veterans Affairs Department is named federal employee of the year for her work on suicide prevention.
Tech
Telework expansion could save money and diversify hiring pool, officials say
Personnel, technology chiefs say IT shortcomings shouldn’t hold back agencies from promoting the practice.
Pay & Benefits
Hit the Ceiling
Federal employees sometimes worry about the government raiding their retirement coffers during an economic crisis.
Oversight
Air traffic controllers approve new contract
Vote ends three-year dispute with the Federal Aviation Administration.
Pay & Benefits
Proposal would end federal health benefits plan
Amendment to health care reform bill would require civil servants to move to state-based health exchanges starting in 2013.
Oversight
GAO says State Department needs to revisit hardship pay
Reports find that despite efforts, department still needs to fill posts in dangerous areas as well as beef up officers' foreign language skills.
Oversight
Trade group concerned about insourcing mandate
Professional Services Council says contractor jobs are being shifted in-house without measuring cost or best value.
Pay & Benefits