Pay & Benefits
Retirement reform bill clears the House
Legislation allows FERS employees to count unused sick leave toward retirement and claim credit for previous service if they return to government.
Oversight
Energy staffing hasn’t kept pace with acquisition workload, IG says
The volume and complexity of procurement requirements threaten to overwhelm nascent workforce gains.
Defense
GAO: Staggering cost overruns dwarf modest improvements in Defense acquisition
A shortage of government engineers and contract managers contributes to problems, says report.
Oversight
Senators unveil bill to streamline hiring process
Legislation would eliminate knowledge, skills and abilities essays, and require plain-language job postings.
Oversight
FAA nominee draws praise for union and management experience
Former pilot Randy Babbitt served on the agency’s management advisory panel during the Bush administration.
Pay & Benefits
Leave: Take It Or Lump It?
Exploring the age-old question of whether it’s wise to use up your annual leave or take a lump-sum payment for it.
Pay & Benefits
Personnel pick remains flexible on pay-for-performance systems
Nominee John Berry says he would consider any compensation structure that is effective and maintains merit principles.
Pay & Benefits
Pay Day
Federal employees have strong advocates in Congress and in the Obama administration for pay and benefits issues.
Oversight
Bill would encourage more telework
Washington area representatives promote the popular work arrangement.
Oversight
House panel adds pay parity to budget resolution
Federal raises will be set during the 2010 appropriations process.
Pay & Benefits
Paid parental leave advances in House
Bill moves to full oversight panel; lawmakers say legislation would be a model for private sector.
Defense
From Nextgov.com: Officials criticize Defense's 'unreliable' health record system
The services' surgeon generals tell the Hill that the medical network frequently crashes and is causing a 'near mutiny' among doctors.
Oversight
Legislation would require more training for federal managers
Bill also would establish new performance management criteria for supervisors.
Oversight
EEOC employee morale declines as workload grows
Agency officials say they will use a $15 million funding increase in the omnibus appropriations act to hire more employees.
Oversight
Lawmakers eye claims backlog at SSA
A congressional hearing on Tuesday will focus on the agency’s unprecedented logjam of disability benefits claims.
Pay & Benefits
Disability Decisions
Feds receive some benefits if they become disabled before retiring, but it could be wise to purchase supplemental private insurance.
Pay & Benefits
Legislation modifying federal retirement rules advances
Provisions would make it easier for retirees to cash out unused sick leave and return to government service.
Pay & Benefits
OPM authorizes streamlined hiring for stimulus efforts
Agencies will be able to use excepted service appointments to bring on new employees temporarily for economic recovery projects.
Oversight