Defense

VA nurses are in short supply

GAO recommends adopting a new staffing system and expanding access to alternative work schedules for inpatient nurses.

Pay & Benefits

Treasury is mum on new hires to manage bailout

Department has authority to fast track federal hiring process.

Pay & Benefits

Candidates hint at how they’ll tackle pay issues

Many government employees wonder how the next president will manage salary and job performance.

Pay & Benefits

Considering HDHPs

Is a high-deductible health plan the right choice for you this open season?

Pay & Benefits

EEOC group says agencies should boost Hispanic employment and hiring efforts

Hispanics are underrepresented in the government’s senior ranks, where they make up slightly more than 3 percent.

Pay & Benefits

Unfounded Fears

The economy and stock market might be in a tailspin, but federal employees shouldn’t start panicking about their benefits just yet.

Pay & Benefits

IG community honors auditors and investigators

Agriculture, Defense departments among top award winners.

Pay & Benefits

Panel: No change to locality pay areas in 2009

The Federal Salary Council denies the request of 42 locations currently in the “rest of U.S.” category.

Oversight

Watchdog unveils government reform priorities for next administration

Nonprofit recommends increasing federal pay and returning some contract jobs to the civil service.

Pay & Benefits

TSP weathers sharp spike in transactions

On Oct. 10, calls to the plan’s ThriftLine spiked from a normal volume of around 18,000 to nearly 35,000.

Pay & Benefits

Merit board touts nontraditional approaches to discipline

Report recommends that agencies establish policies on alternative ways to address employee misconduct and train supervisors on their options.

Pay & Benefits

Deep Breath

That’s what you should take before you do anything with your TSP funds right now.

Pay & Benefits

OPM terminates contract for electronic retirement calculator

Agency will continue its retirement modernization project without the assistance of Hewitt Associates.

Pay & Benefits

Homeland security and traffic concerns drive telework expansion

Agencies must make the work arrangement part of their culture for it to succeed, advocates say.

Pay & Benefits

CSRS retirees to receive 5.8 percent pension boost in 2009

Increase is highest since 1982; those in FERS will receive a 4.8 percent adjustment.

Pay & Benefits

FSA Perks

As open season approaches, the flexible spending account program may be worth a second look.

Oversight

VA suspends prostate cancer treatment programs at four hospitals

Nuclear Regulatory Commission is examining radiation dosing problems.

Oversight

Feds are more mobile, but dissatisfied with agencies’ wireless support

Survey says latest technology could boost employees’ productivity outside the office.

Pay & Benefits

Panel: Transition presents opportunities for civil service reforms

The need for change is significant, but a new administration should be careful and patient, panelists say.

Oversight

Federal jobs not automatically competitive, administration argues

In court filing, Justice Department says president has authority to determine which jobs are subject to competition.