Workforce
TSA, Merit Board Reach Deal to Provide Appeal Rights to Airport Screeners
As the Biden administration moves to provide full civil service protections to the TSA workforce, lawmakers say Congress must codify screeners’ rights.
Workforce
Federal Employee Appeals Board Nominees Preview How They Will Reduce Case Backlog, Handle Vaccine Mandate Challenges
Confirmation of Biden’s picks for MSPB would end unprecedented era of quorum-less board.
Workforce
A Functioning Federal Employee Appeals Board May Finally Be in Sight After Biden Names Second Nominee
MSPB hasn't had a quorum in more than four years, but Republicans may push for further delay until a member of their party is nominated.
Pay & Benefits
Merit Board Offers Advice to Fix Reskilling Program That Hasn't Translated to Any New Job Placements
A pilot program to train some non-IT workers with technology skills has not resulted in anyone switching jobs, largely because participants would have needed to take a pay cut.
Oversight
Energy Dept. Hatch Act Violator Agrees to Resign and Leave Government for at Least 3 Years
The employee gave a congressional candidate special access to a radioactive waste treatment plant despite warnings this would violate ban on political activity while working.
Oversight
Special Counsel: Fed Gave Unauthorized Tour to Political Candidate
"The employee unilaterally used her official authority to further a political campaign," Hatch Act complaint says.
Management
Merit Board Suggests Ways Agencies Can Hire 'Better,' Not Just 'Faster and Cheaper'
The Merit Systems Protections Board is lending its support to the Office of Personnel Management's hiring reform efforts.
Management
MSPB: There’s a Better Way to do Performance Reviews
Few have faith in a system where 99% of employees are deemed “fully successful” or better.
Oversight
Former Immigration Judge Punished for Hatch Act Violations
Merit Systems Protection Board imposes a $1,000 fine and 30-month debarment from federal service.
Management
Senate Panel Advances Merit Board, FEMA Administrator Nominees
The federal employee appeals board may soon have a quorum for the first time in 2.5 years.
Pay & Benefits
Final Merit Board Nominee Promises to Protect Civil Service as Agency Looks to Regain Teeth
House panel moves to protect whistleblowers in the interim as central board still has no confirmed members.
Workforce
A Growing Number of Feds Think They've Seen Favoritism, Other Prohibited Personnel Practices
Uptick could be at least partially a result of increased awareness, Merit Systems Protection Board concludes.
Management
Feds Rarely Win Before MSPB. Board Says That’s Not a Problem.
Many cases settle before a ruling, board says, and agencies judiciously take action.
Management
Agencies Could Weed Out Poor Managers Early, But They Rarely Do
Just seven out of every 1,000 new supervisors failed the probationary period, MSPB found.
Oversight
War on Terror Vet Wins Back Postal Service Job After 14 Years
Special Counsel announces reinstatement by Merit Systems Protection Board.
Employee Policy
New rule for VA employee removals
A new regulation governing the firing of Department of Veterans Affairs employees is now published and open for public comment.
Employee Policy
OSC resolves two Hatch Act cases
The Office of Special Counsel said two Hatch Act cases referred to the organization by federal agencies have been resolved with "significant disciplinary action against federal employees."
Pay
Furlough appellants strike out at MSPB
Federal employees who appealed furloughs that occurred last year in the wake of sequestration have had no luck so far in pressing their cases before the Merit Systems Protection Board.
Employee Policy
OSC reports Hatch Act violations at IRS offices
The Office of Special Counsel this week reported the results of several investigations of reported Hatch Act violations involving on-the-job partisan political activity by Internal Revenue Service employees during the 2012 election season
Employee Policy