Pay & Benefits
OPM to Offer Same-Sex Spouses Another Chance at Survivor Benefits
A new notice this week announced that the federal government’s HR agency is waiving the requirement that a widow or widower be married to a federal worker for nine months to be eligible for survivor benefits in some cases.
Workforce
OPM Encourages Agencies to Expand Telework, Remote Work Permanently in New Guidance
The Office of Personnel Management on Friday issued its first major update to its telework guide in a decade.
Workforce
OPM: Agencies Must Provide Time Off for Feds to Get Their Kids Vaccinated Against COVID-19
The federal government’s HR agency reminded officials that they must provide employees administrative leave to accompany children getting the COVID-19 vaccine, following approval of the vaccine for 5- through 11-year-olds.
Workforce
OPM Rule Makes It Easier to Hire Recent College Grads
Under a new hiring authority, federal job applicants who graduated with a bachelor’s or master’s degree within the last two years can be hired outside of the competitive process at up to a GS-11 salary.
Workforce
Federal Agencies to Inform New Hires of Union Eligibility, Rights
As part of the Biden administration’s initiative to promote collective bargaining in the federal government, agencies also will be expected to inform current employees of their union rights at least twice per year.
Pay & Benefits
OPM to Propose Expanding Dental and Vision Benefits to More Federal Workers
In a new proposed rule, OPM would extend eligibility to temporary and part-time workers, as well as federal firefighters and other “intermittent” first responders.
Pay & Benefits
Annual Employee Viewpoint Survey Coming Next Month, and More
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Oversight
ATF Misclassified Jobs as Law Enforcement and Retaliated Against Whistleblower, Agencies Say
Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, is demanding additional information after revelations that the Office of Personnel Management partially suspended the agency’s authority to classify positions.
Management
OPM’s Telework Initiatives Dovetail with Climate Change Planning
The agency announced a program to connect leaders from the private and nonprofit sectors with federal agencies to address climate change.
Workforce
Students Can Now Earn up to $72,000 Annually, Federal HR Director Says
OPM Director Kiran Ahuja said the federal government is looking to overhaul internships, telling students “we need more of you and your colleagues coming into the federal government.”
Workforce
Biden Administration Outlines Process for Disciplining, Removing Unvaccinated Feds
Refusal to comply with the president’s vaccine mandate will be treated as violating “a lawful order,” according to guidance from the White House Safer Federal Workforce Taskforce and OPM.
Pay & Benefits
Employee Groups React to Health Insurance Open Season Announcement
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Pay & Benefits
Feds Will Pay 3.8% More Toward Health Care Premiums Next Year
Cost growth stems largely from specialty drugs, treatments for chronic illnesses and the COVID-19 pandemic, insurers said, although federal workers will be impacted less than employees of other large organizations.
Workforce
OPM Finalizes Rule to Boost Agency Hiring of Military Spouses
Regulations removing obstacles to hiring spouses of active duty service members outside of the competitive process will go into effect next month.
Management
OPM Sees Eye-to-Eye With Outside Experts on Its Future Role in Governmentwide Personnel Policy
The federal government’s human resources agency said it is incorporating many of the ideas proposed by the National Academy of Public Administration in its upcoming strategic plan, but some will require funding increases and congressional action.
Pay & Benefits
OPM Adds Tribal School Workers to FEHBP, and More
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Pay & Benefits
OPM Announces Leave Transfer Program for Feds in Four States Following Hurricane Ida
Feds in Louisiana, Mississippi, New York and New Jersey could be able to take extra time off to recover from the storm.
Workforce
OPM Issues Guidance on Weather Leave in Age of Telework, Disasters
As the remnants of Hurricane Ida created disruptions throughout the eastern United States, the Office of Personnel Management highlighted how workplace flexibilities can mesh with the federal government’s current maximum telework posture.
Pay & Benefits
Feds to Receive Administrative Leave for Vaccinations
New guidance from the White House Safer Federal Workforce Task Force simplifies the process for federal employees to receive leave to get themselves or family members vaccinated.
Workforce