Management

OPM Urges Agencies to Abandon Disciplinary Guidelines for Poor Performers

The Trump administration wants to give managers more discretion to pick an appropriate punishment for a given situation.

Pay & Benefits

OPM Promotes Work-Life Balance, Retirements Decline, and More

A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.

Management

OPM Calls on Agencies to Streamline Federal Firing

Agencies have until March 2020 to eliminate “unnecessary barriers to addressing poor performance,” and even stricter rules are likely on the way.

Management

Senate Panel Advances Spending Bills Blocking OPM-GSA Merger, Allowing USDA Relocations

Democrats say that in conference committee they will endorse House-passed provisions blocking the relocation of science agencies to Kansas City and authorizing an average 3.1% pay raise for federal employees.

Management

Senate Appropriators Join House in Blocking OPM-GSA Merger

Senators go with Trump's latest proposal for a 2.6% civilian pay raise for 2020 but no locality increase, while the House has approved an average 3.1% raise.

Management

OPM Moves to Implement Parts of Trump Order Easing Firing of Feds

Proposed rules would remind managers when new hires are approaching the end of probationary periods and streamline firing procedures.

Management

Weichert: Agencies Should Include Experts in Hiring Process

Guidance from the Office of Personnel Management encourages a renewed focus on competencies, rather than “minimum qualifications.”

Management

Controversial OPM Nominee Confirmed Mostly Along Party Lines

Senate approves Dale Cabaniss despite concerns regarding her past governmental experience and plans to merge the agency with the General Services Administration.

Management

Leadership, Flexible Work Arrangements Key to Success of Employee Health and Wellness Programs

Agencies earning top marks on recent assessment share their secrets.

Workforce

Agencies Offer Accommodations for Feds Affected by Hurricane Dorian

The Office of Personnel Management reminds agencies of options for federal employees in Dorian’s path.

Pay & Benefits

Trump Administration Seeks to Quash Lawsuit Over OPM Hack

Government says feds are not entitled to damages as hackers intended to use the personal information they gathered for spying, not identity theft or fraud. 

Workforce

The Aging Federal Workforce Needs ‘New Blood,’ Experts Say

There are twice as many workers over age 60 as there are under 30.

Pay & Benefits

Wage System Tweaks, and a Health Insurance Offering That's Been Missing for 30 Years

A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.

Pay & Benefits

Anti-Labor Group Urges Federal Government to Stop All Existing Union Payroll Deductions

Group's argument has already been rejected by a federal appellate court in decision that did not set a precedent.

Pay & Benefits

Officials Clarify Coming Opioid Restrictions, Retirement Backlog Stays Steady and More

A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.

Management

Federal HR Officials: Get Rid of Most Hiring Authorities

Officials at the Homeland Security and Veterans Affairs departments said having too many avenues for hiring a federal employee causes paralysis at agencies.

Pay & Benefits

Lawmakers, Agencies Look to Fix Leave Reform That Was Never Implemented

A measure intended to cap a specific use of paid time off may finally go into effect.

Management

Trump Administration Asks Court to Allow Agencies to Implement Workforce Orders Immediately

Government argues it would suffer “irreparable harm” if required to wait 45 days before an existing injunction against three controversial executive orders is lifted.

Tech

5 Ways To Protect Yourself From Cybercrime

A leader of a new effort to teach cybersecurity to local community organizations and the public at large offers some basic tips to get everyone started.

Pay & Benefits

Trump Administration Calls for Fewer Performance Awards, Stricter Rating System for Feds

Only civil servants who deliver what the "American public should be able to expect" should get bonuses, OPM says.