Benefits
Feds in high-risk jobs contracting COVID-19 cleared for workers’ comp
Feds working in high-risk, citizen-facing jobs who contract COVID-19 are facing a lower bar for workers’ comp approval, thanks to recent changes made by the Department of Labor to the claims process -- and a major union is expressing its approval.
Management
GovExec Daily: The Pandemic Divide Between Public and Private Sector Workers
Brian Michael, VP & GM Public Sector at Medallia and Sheri Petras, CEO at CFI Group, join the podcast to look at a survey on the ways employees are handling the COVID-19 .
Benefits
VA benefits backlog climbs as pandemic drags on
The backlog of initial claims for benefits has been rising in recent weeks, after holding steady amid the 100% telework posture of the Veterans Benefits Administration.
Employee Policy
Unions react to the HEROES Act proposal
Government-employee unions vowed to support the Democrats in the legislative fight to prevent massive jobs loss and protect essential workers.
Employee Policy
$3T HEROES Act pushes telework, extends protections to feds
The House's COVID-19 relief bill appropriates more than $3 trillion on economic rescue for individuals and small business, but it also provides for expanded telework for the federal workforce and contractors during the coronavirus pandemic.
Pay & Benefits
New House COVID-19 Bill Includes Hazard Pay for Feds, Strengthens Protections for Telework and Sick Leave
Pelosi on Tuesday unveiled legislation that would provide up to $10,000 in premium pay for federal workers on the front lines of the coronavirus outbreak and would prevent agencies from exempting employees from paid sick leave benefits.
Benefits
House Dems call for retroactive paid parental leave
Letting new parents take time off would alleviate coronavirus-related concerns, members stated in a May 8 letter to leadership.
Pay & Benefits
House Democrats Urge Leadership to Begin Paid Parental Leave for Feds Early
A group of 12 lawmakers said the new benefit for federal workers, currently slated for implementation in October, should apply retroactively to December.
Employee Policy
Rep. proposes feds keep leave that went unused due to pandemic
A bill from Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-Va.) would make sure that feds won't forfeit unused annual leave.
Pay & Benefits
House Legislation Would Protect Feds’ Unused Leave During Coronavirus Pandemic
Rep. Jennifer Wexton, D-Va., has introduced a bill that would ensure that federal workers who are unable to take a vacation due to the COVID-19 outbreak will not lose their paid leave.
Benefits
Potential ‘causal relationship‘ requirement for COVID-19 comp claims
Employees may need to show a “causal relationship” between their workplace and illness to make a claim under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act, according to the Congressional Research Service.
Employee Policy
NFFE: Forest Service staff routinely denied COVID-19 administrative leave
The union representing most Forest Service employees is hitting back against the Department of Agriculture for its pattern of denying reasonable requests for administrative leave during the current COVID-19 crisis.
Benefits
COVID-19 brings overhaul of military health care to a halt
The coronavirus, has thrown reform plans into a tailspin and exposed gaps in health care for America’s service members and veterans.
Employee Policy
House Dems press leadership for COVID-19 workforce policies
Childcare cost subsidies, weather and safety leave, telework allowances are among priorities for Democrats in planned CARES-2 legislative package.
Benefits
AFGE urges Congress to support federal worker protections
The American Federation of Government Employees is asking Congress to ensure worker safety provisions are included in future COVID-19 response legislation.
Benefits
Feds struggle to get temporary excused paid leave
Feds with dependent care responsibilities that stretch them to the breaking point have a stopgap once leave options are exhausted, but many agencies are reluctant to put it in play.
Pay & Benefits
OPM Urges FEHBP Insurers to Reduce Costs for Coronavirus Treatment
Amid questions from lawmakers, the federal government’s HR agency confirmed that it is pushing to minimize costs for federal employees who require treatment for COVID-19.
Pay & Benefits
OPM Dismisses Union Concerns About Paid Parental Leave Implementation
Agency Director Dale Cabaniss argued that legislative proposals listed as part of OPM's fiscal 2021 budget justification merely sought "clarification" from Congress, and were not intended to set limitations on the new benefit.
Management
Civil Service Reform, Again
The Republican Study Committee’s recent task force report is correct in its point that federal benefits costs cannot be justified.
Pay & Benefits