Pay & Benefits
OPM wants to entice more AI talent with new benefits guidance
The HR agency unveiled new pay and benefits flexibilities to help snag in-demand workers with expertise in artificial intelligence technology.
Oversight
House Committee wants to interview 8 VA officials in harassment probe
House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Mike Bost, R-Ill., sent a letter asking for interviews with several senior leaders as part of the committee’s ongoing investigation into sexual harassment allegations in one of the department’s offices.
Oversight
Senator wants USPS to address veteran medication delays
Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester, D-Mt., wants answers from the Postmaster General about ongoing issues veterans have had receiving VA-prescribed medications by mail.
Management
Some DHS agencies are more likely to discipline employees than supervisors, GAO says
The watchdog said data gaps in the disciplinary adjudication process at four Homeland Security component agencies meant that they were unable to identify why rank-and-file employees were more likely than supervisors to face misconduct judgments.
Oversight
VA secretary says he ‘failed’ in recognizing office harassment allegations
Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough candidly admitted fault during a House committee hearing for not discerning more quickly whistleblower complaints of sexual harassment within a department office.
Pay & Benefits
10 years on, OPM keeps its pay freeze in place for senior officials
With budget negotiations ongoing, OPM officials said that the pay rates for the vice president and other senior political officials will remain frozen until at least the expiration of the latest continuing resolution.
Management
VA lacks the emergency budget modeling to prepare for health crises like COVID, GAO says
The watchdog said that the Veterans Health Administration does not have the modeling capability to predict how much supplemental funding would be needed to address a black swan event like the pandemic.
Management
OPM’s talent acquisition system needs better processes for managing agencies’ data
A GAO report found that OPM’s USA Staffing program lacked procedures for managing the interagency agreement data used when agencies utilized its talent acquisition system.
Pay & Benefits
Some Coast Guard personnel can’t find housing in vacation-rich areas, GAO says
The watchdog said that despite some government housing and a private sector housing allowance, some Coast Guard personnel can’t find affordable lodging stationed in either remote areas or ones where rentals are positioned for vacation economies.
Pay & Benefits
Secret Service overtime pay locked in through 2028
The House passed legislation Monday to extend overtime pay authority for agents providing protective services through the next presidential election cycle after it was slated to lapse last month.
Pay & Benefits
OPM: Federal salaries won't be tied to private sector pay histories
Agencies can’t use non-federal salaries to help set pay for new or returning federal employees, under a new rule from the Office of Personnel Management.
Oversight
House Democrats pen fiery letter to embattled DHS inspector general demanding documents
The ranking members of the House Committees on Oversight and Accountability and Homeland Security demanded documents from the DHS IG related to a court settlement with a former deputy inspector general after repeated requests remained unfulfilled.
Management
Want to modernize the federal workforce? Here's how
A new nonprofit study examines how the federal government could update the civil service to both capture new talent and capitalize on its available talent.
Pay & Benefits
Is the 5.2% pay raise enough for feds? Union says no
While the president authorized the largest pay raise for federal employees in more than 40 years last month, the National Federation of Federal Employees said inflation and the outpacing private sector pay means workers need more.
Management
Senate bill would offer veterans with lost medical records a way to access disability benefits
Legislation from the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee chairman would provide veterans with other documentation methods for receiving benefits when their medical records are misplaced between the VA and Defense Department.
Management
OPM and the Pentagon are among agencies adopting solar under a $104M clean energy plan
The Biden administration detailed new grant awards from an Energy Department program tasked with helping implement energy conservation technology at federal agencies.
Management
Senate committee wants details on VA’s harassment investigation
On the heels of a House panel voting to subpoena the Veterans Affairs Department as part of its own investigation, the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee wants more information about how officials are examining sexual harassment allegations.
Management
Intelligence agencies need to make SCIFs more accessible for employees with disabilities, GAO says
The watchdog examined the facilities agencies use for processing classified information, finding that some barriers that prohibit access remain.
Pay & Benefits
A new rule allows the VA to adjust disability compensation to prevent overpayments
The rule, set to go into effect on Jan. 11, would allow the department to suspend or pause disability compensation for Defense Department servicemembers also receiving active service pay.
Management