Oversight

Workforce challenges linger at Federal Air Marshal Service

Policies show signs of progress but aren’t perfect yet, witnesses testify before a House Homeland Security subcommittee.

Oversight

TSA begins meetings with unions

Labor groups say collective bargaining, pay and evaluation systems are key concerns.

Pay & Benefits

Health Care Heartburn

As reformers eye FEHBP as a template for affordable coverage, some look to guard federal benefits.

Oversight

Court allows challenge to intern program to go forward

Labor union is seeking to overturn the program, saying it lets agencies circumvent the merit system.

Oversight

Academy urges major management reform at Energy

Serious problems, especially in human resources, jeopardize department’s mission, independent review finds.

Oversight

Defense acquisition workforce plan called insufficient

Procurement law expert tells congressional panel that the Pentagon should hire every available qualified contracting professional.

Pay & Benefits

Personnel chief calls for better attitude toward civil servants

OPM Director John Berry says positive relationships with Congress and OMB will be keys to ambitious agenda.

Pay & Benefits

Facelift of TSP Web site stays on schedule

Redesign with features such as an improved retirement calculator is scheduled to be complete by 2010.

Oversight

Unions urge Obama to mend, not end, current federal pay system

Leaders call on administration to address problems with General Schedule before creating a new framework.

Pay & Benefits

House passes 2 percent pay raise

Financial services legislation advances with Obama’s pay raise proposal included.

Pay & Benefits

Get an Estimate

One key tool in planning for retirement is an estimate from your agency of your future benefits.

Oversight

Deputy OPM nominee receives bipartisan support at hearing

Christine Griffin, a longtime disability advocate, is expected to tackle diversity and management issues in the federal workforce.

Pay & Benefits

Panel recommends reform of Pentagon pay system

Draft report supports current moratorium on NSPS conversions, but does not call for elimination of personnel system.

Pay & Benefits

Student Aid

A government benefit that erases student loan debt for some public servants has a few catches.

Defense

Senators seek to add workforce provisions to Defense bill

Amendment includes language ironing out differences in treatment of unused sick leave in the two federal employee retirement systems.

Pay & Benefits

Agency heads discuss possibilities for joint wellness programs

Green space, farmers markets and centralized child care are among the ideas on the table to brighten the atmosphere at four neighboring agencies.

Defense

From Nextgov.com: Senate approves E-Verify expansion

Amendment to Homeland Security spending bill allows employers to use electronic verification system for existing employees as well as new hires.

Oversight

Private sector not necessarily a model for hiring reform

Some practices such as relying primarily on résumés aren’t suitable for the federal government, consultancy says.

Defense

Senators seek to eliminate 23 senior Pentagon positions

Lawmakers decry 'proliferation' of deputy undersecretaries, say positions should be redesignated with other titles.

Pay & Benefits

Best Dates to Retire 2010

A calendar showing the best days to leave next year to maximize your benefits.