Defense
House approves provision letting TSA employees wear protective gear
Union says managers were preventing airport screeners from taking adequate precautions during the swine flu scare.
Pay & Benefits
Parental leave act moves closer to law
House passes measure granting federal employees four weeks of paid leave for the birth of a child, defeats GOP amendment intended to defray costs.
Pay & Benefits
Account Management
FAQs on the benefits of accounts for TSP enrollees’ surviving spouses are answered.
Pay & Benefits
Panel reviewing Pentagon’s pay system announces meetings
Group will collect input from personnel experts and members of the public in late June.
Oversight
Agencies should link diversity and retention goals, says EEOC
Hiring a minority employee simply to fulfill diversity requirements is not enough, says acting chairman.
Oversight
FDA chief: More money is needed for inspections
Margaret Hamburg says inspecting a domestic food facility costs more than $900,000.
Pay & Benefits
Senate considers bill affecting federal retirement
Lawmakers this week take up legislation that would, among other things, allow FERS employees to count their unused sick leave toward retirement.
Pay & Benefits
Report finds widespread enrollment in pricey prescription drug plans
Choosing a co-insurance plan could add thousands of dollars to the annual cost of specialty drugs to treat chronic or life-threatening illnesses.
Pay & Benefits
From Nextgov.com: State Department promotes Internet diplomacy
But encouraging online interaction among individuals could pose policy challenges for Obama administration.
Oversight
Unions react positively to OPM call for pay reform
But employee advocates do not want a pay-for-performance system modeled on Bush-era initiatives.
Pay & Benefits
TSP continues to gain ground in May
All funds are in the black for 2009, but many still are making up for a dismal end to 2008.
Oversight
Unions say recession is sparking federal sector organizing
Heavy workloads and economic uncertainty are prompting increased interest.
Pay & Benefits
OPM asks agencies to review use of some bonuses
Observer says slow economy might make incentive payments unnecessary.
Pay & Benefits
Nibbling at the Edges
Some agencies are finding ways to extend benefits to domestic partners, but governmentwide change will require congressional muscle.
Pay & Benefits
Administration will push for governmentwide pay for performance
OPM director John Berry vows to significantly overhaul federal pay, hiring and employee training.
Oversight
National Business Center launches electronic onboarding tool
HR management suite is designed to streamline processing and coordinate information across multiple systems.
Pay & Benefits
FDA promises broad review of bonus programs
Probe will cover all forms of bonus compensation, including gift cards.
Oversight