Workforce
The ‘Ban the Box’ Prohibition at Federal Agencies Will Soon Be Expanded
OPM has proposed a rule implementing The Fair Chance Act, which expands a preexisting ban on asking federal job applicants about criminal histories before the conditional job offer phase of the hiring process, and sets up a mechanism for applicants to report violations of the rule.
Pay & Benefits
The Political Appointee Pay Freeze Continues, and More
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Pay & Benefits
Feds Can Now Donate to Ukraine Relief Efforts Directly From Their Paychecks
Between now and June 30, federal workers can pledge to donate to thousands of charities working on relief efforts in Ukraine as part of a special round of the Combined Federal Campaign.
Workforce
OPM Targets Data and Benefits Education to Improve Equity in the Federal Workforce
The federal government HR agency’s report was one of more than 90 equity action plans released by the Biden administration this week.
Tech
OPM Unveils a New Toolkit for Agencies to Hire Cyber Talent
A new resource hub from the Office of Personnel Management outlines what benefits agencies might be able to offer to fill cyber positions.
Workforce
OPM Issues More Guidance to Encourage Collective Bargaining at Agencies
Building on President Biden’s executive order encouraging more collaborative labor-management relations, OPM strongly encouraged federal agencies to improve unions’ ability to communicate with workers and collect dues.
Pay & Benefits
What Federal Employees Should Know About the New Paid Parental Bereavement Leave Benefit
Thanks to the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act, federal workers can take up to two weeks off following the death of a child.
Management
OPM’s Goals for the Next 18 Months: Hire, Hire, Hire
The federal government’s human resources agency released a new strategic plan this week aimed at transforming the agency into a leader in governmental human capital management.
Workforce
Biden’s Budget Focuses on Making Agencies a ‘Model Employer’
Documents accompanying the president’s fiscal 2023 budget request envisions reforms to federal hiring, internships, and a restructuring of regional Federal Executive Boards.
Management
It Just Got Easier for Feds to Vote and Work at Polls
New leave guidance is part of the Biden administration’s overall efforts to increase access to voting.
Pay & Benefits
The Federal Pay Advisory Panel Can Finally Weigh In on Locality Pay and Other Issues Again
Biden nominates members to the Federal Salary Council, allowing it to move forward with compensation-related recommendations.
Workforce
OPM Launches a Toolkit to Attract More Women to the SES
The effort to recruit more women into the cadre of career government executives builds upon a 2014 program and comes amid news that, unlike the rest of the federal government, there is no gender pay gap in the Senior Executive Service.
Pay & Benefits
The White House and OPM Say They Will ‘Address’ Salary History in Federal Hiring
Although the federal gender pay gap is much smaller than the disparity in the private sector, officials vowed to push to eliminate it altogether.
Management
The $1.5 Trillion Omnibus Spending Bill Features Enhanced Federal Workforce Reporting Requirements
In its legislation to keep the government open until Sept. 30, Congress has instructed federal agencies to report back on human capital issues and the future of work.
Management
OPM's IG and TSP's Board Nominees Pledge to be Impartial in Roles
President Biden’s pick to chair the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board became the latest in a string of nominees to apologize to senators for past tweets about Republican lawmakers.
Pay & Benefits
Ahuja Appoints Former OPM Director to Oversee the Federal Blue Collar Job Panel
Janice Lachance will chair an advisory committee governing the Federal Wage System, a pay scale that has long been criticized by employee groups for its outdated map of locality pay areas.
Management
Chief Human Capital Officers Need to Be Empowered to Really Transform Federal HR, Experts Say
More collaboration between chief human capital officers and agency executives and the Office of Personnel Management is needed to improve the hiring and retention of the federal workforce.
Workforce
These Tips Will Help Federal Managers and Employees Navigate the New Hybrid Work Environment
The government’s HR agency said it’s up to everyone to work together to foster effective performance management, particularly when there is a mix of on-site and teleworking feds.
Workforce
