Defense
Pentagon changes policy for NSPS pay raises in 2008
Some employees in the new personnel system won’t get the increase they expected.
Pay & Benefits
Unions call on OPM to rein in health care premiums
Labor leaders say federal government should increase its share of payments and take advantage of subsidies.
Pay & Benefits
Public or Private?
If you want to keep working after you become retirement-eligible, should you stay in government or shift to the private sector?
Pay & Benefits
Federal health premiums to rise slightly in 2008
Overall, they will go up by an average of 2.1 percent next year, as OPM dips into reserve funds to keep increases down.
Oversight
Staffing shortages slow vets’ employment counseling
VA and Labor coordination efforts hindered by personnel limitations, difficulty sharing information.
Pay & Benefits
Top Dollar Talent
Agencies are making big strides in offering incentives to new and seasoned employees.
Tech
Procurement agency to take telework lead
Goal is to get half of all eligible GSA employees working outside the office once or twice a week within three years.
Defense
Senators warm to ICE chief at re-nomination hearing
Julie Myers gets more positive reception than two years ago, but questions remain about employee morale, treatment of immigration detainees.
Defense
Union weighs solo Supreme Court challenge to Defense personnel system
Other groups in labor coalition pull back, citing concerns over precedent that could be set by unfavorable ruling.
Defense
DHS encouraged to improve IT workforce planning
Current plans lack timetables, resources for implementation, GAO finds.
Pay & Benefits
TSP to halt use of Social Security numbers as account IDs
Participants will receive new account numbers this month, in time to start using them Oct. 1.
Oversight
Arbitrator rules against SEC pay for performance system
Arbitrary standards produced discrimination against African-Americans, employees over 40, mediator finds.
Pay & Benefits
Congress approves student loan forgiveness for public servants
Bill that would make it easier for indebted graduates to enter government jobs awaits the president's signature.
Pay & Benefits
House panel questions complexity of veterans preference laws
Attorney says simplifying rules could improve compliance, but personnel official argues federal managers are adequately schooled.
Pay & Benefits
The Latest on the TSP
An update on some changes in the operations of the Thrift Savings Plan.
Defense
Court rules in union’s favor in TSA free-speech case
In a unanimous decision, appeals court judges order lower court to hear complaint alleging the agency violated a screener’s constitutional rights.
Pay & Benefits
Cost Control
Employee groups and agency officials differ on the best way to keep prescription drug costs in line.
Pay & Benefits
Air traffic controllers land in Washington to lobby
Controllers ask lawmakers to overturn unpopular contract in upcoming FAA reauthorization.
Pay & Benefits
Common stocks lead August TSP earnings
With the exception of international investments, all of the retirement savings plan’s basic funds posted increases for the month.
Pay & Benefits