Workforce
The tail wagging the dog: Snapshots of the public service a year into the second Trump administration
COMMENTARY | One year in, DOGE and the Trump administration have had profound effects on the federal civil service, but looking at the numbers, it's not always where one expects.
Management
One year in — It has been a tough year for federal employees.
COMMENTARY | Senior executives have faced a year of challenges and tumult, but whatever 2026 may hold for the civil service, these leadership lessons can help guide employees through it.
Management
After scrapping it in 2025, the Trump administration is reinstating awards program for senior executives
The Senior Executive Association praised the return of the presidential rank awards.
Management
Rule limiting ‘outstanding’ performance ratings for agency senior executives finalized
The final rule also strikes promotion of diversity and inclusion as a criteria for appraising senior executives.
Management
New law aims to avoid repeat of recent scandals at Veterans Affairs
VA in 2024 paid millions in critical skill bonuses to senior executives and received nearly $3 billion in supplemental funding to address a budget shortfall that ultimately didn’t materialize.
Management
NSF slashes most career executive roles after shedding one-third of staff
The National Science Foundation is initiating a reduction in force for senior executives, but offering them opportunities to stay at the agency.
Workforce
6 reasons to consider corporate board service on your professional journey
COMMENTARY | Senior federal officials underestimate their potential for board service. They shouldn’t.
Workforce
Trump’s push for executive order loyalty risks undermining the federal workforce and the Constitution
COMMENTARY | Federal workers are being asked to prove their loyalty to Trump’s agenda, but history shows that when politics overtakes merit, government performance suffers.
Management
Limited number of agency senior executives could be rated as ‘outstanding’ under Trump proposal
The Trump administration has sought to exert more political influence over members of the senior executive service.
Updated
Management
Trump nixes 2025 awards for federal employees
The presidential rank awards recognize exceptional members of the senior executive service.
Workforce
12 senior executives at the Federal Acquisition Service head for the exits
The agency had 34 senior executive service members in September 2024.
Management
Trump to convert some top career roles to political appointments and evaluate execs on adherence to president’s agenda
New policy ensures top roles can only be filled by the "administration's political cronies," senior executive group says.
Management
Government’s top career execs face new political oversight as Trump vows to get ‘rid of all the cancer’
New memo could boost transfer of senior executives, as the president did on a limited basis in his first term.
Management
Senior executive standards get first update in more than 15 years
OPM said technological advances necessitated the changes, but some stakeholders argued the modifications still don’t reflect current governmental needs.
Pay & Benefits
The forgotten keys to agency performance: Senior Executives
COMMENTARY | To help agencies better address their performance management, it could be time to take a fresh look at senior executives, and how they are compensated.
Workforce
Want to reform the federal government? Start with career execs
COMMENTARY | Career senior executives are a national asset, not tools of agency heads. It’s time to manage them as the valuable resource they are, argues one expert.
Oversight
Two senior executives receive unpaid suspensions for unlawful hiring practices
While one of the executives currently works for a different agency with a new position, they will still be disciplined, OSC officials said.
Pay & Benefits
OPM wants agencies to tally their senior executive needs
The federal government’s HR agency has requested biennial projections for the number of SES and scientific professionals that agencies will likely need through 2027.
Pay & Benefits
Lawmakers blast VA over executive bonus scandal, but secretary declines to offer any heads
Many Republicans called for VA to fire top officials after it improperly approved $11M in bonuses for senior executives.
Workforce