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
Union Urges OPM Director to Withdraw Proposal to Limit Paid Parental Leave
As part of its fiscal 2020 budget justification, the personnel agency proposed legislation limiting the availability of paid parental leave for foster placements and in instances where both parents are federal workers.
Pay & Benefits
Military Family Members and Retirees Could Lose Medical Clinic Access under Pentagon Plan
The Defense Department this week published a plan to downsize dozens of military treatment facilities and make many accessible only to active duty troops.
Pay & Benefits
OPM, Lawmakers Propose Fixes to New Paid Parental Leave Law
The effort to ensure all federal employees have access to up to 12 weeks of paid time off following the birth, adoption or foster placement of a child now has bipartisan support.
Pay & Benefits
Budget Proposes Cutting and Simplifying Federal Employee Leave, and More
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Pay & Benefits
White House Revives Controversial Retirement Cut Proposals
The Trump administration’s fiscal 2021 budget proposal would require federal workers to contribute more to their retirement benefit programs and reduce annual cost of living adjustments.
Pay & Benefits