Oversight

Hurricane Fay reminds managers of emergency workforce flexibilities

Direct hiring authority, premium pay for employees are among several options available to agencies during a crisis.

Pay & Benefits

Silent Treatment

The presidential candidates have been mum on the campaign trail about the future of the federal workforce.

Oversight

House majority leader calls for expanding alternative work schedules

Maryland Democrat asks OPM for guidance on motivating agencies to adopt a four-day, 40-hour workweek by October.

Defense

Obama emphasizes VA role in caring for vets

Democratic presidential candidate favors job training for veterans, more outreach to their families.

Defense

Defense to test run foreign language corps

Department is seeking individuals fluent in 10 critical languages to serve the government in times of emergency or international need.

Defense

McCain pledges to expand health care options for veterans

Republican presidential candidate says access cards would not replace VA system.

Pay & Benefits

TSP assets safe if company that manages plan goes under

Board notes success of life-cycle funds, eyes Defense plan for automatic contributions.

Pay & Benefits

Presidential candidates’ management agendas -- or lack thereof -- scrutinized

Government observers urge McCain and Obama to prepare appointees to work with civil servants, address federal pay issues.

Pay & Benefits

Mail Call

Answers to readers questions about the best days to retire.

Defense

Transfer of technical jobs will test Army’s workforce planning

Defense strategy for moving work down the East Coast is solid, but implementation will be tricky, GAO says.

Pay & Benefits

New data on federal-private compensation gap rekindles debate

Think tank says numbers support the case for outsourcing; employee groups say data is broad and meaningless.

Pay & Benefits

Inching Along

Federal pay and benefits issues haven’t been eclipsed completely by politics this election year.

Pay & Benefits

MSPB ruling could benefit vets who file employment claims

The Merit Systems Protection Board now says it has jurisdiction over cases involving veterans who belong to unions and file claims under a 1994 veterans’ employment law.

Defense

Military health care benefit extended to reservist family members

Rule waives annual deductibles for dependents of some active-duty members of Reserves, National Guard.

Oversight

OPM reevaluates human capital marks for management score card

Downgrades reflect initiatives are still in the works rather than failing, officials say.

Oversight

Telework becomes more attractive as quality-of-life concerns spike

As fuel prices, traffic and pollution peak, managers are becoming more open to letting employees work from home.

Pay & Benefits

OPM refines standards for reductions in force

Agencies will be able to separate out workers in pay-for-performance systems when downsizing.

Pay & Benefits

GSA increases per diems for some cities

About 400 locations will have fiscal 2009 rates higher than the national standard.

Pay & Benefits

Best Dates to Retire: Tax Considerations

Tax tips on clarifying your choice for the best time to call it a career.

Pay & Benefits

Senators try a new tactic to reopen FAA’s negotiations with controllers

Bipartisan legislation would restore requirements for mediation and arbitration in contract disputes.