Author Archive
Workforce
DOJ contradicts FEMA on who approved mass firings
"I don't have a great explanation for that," a DOJ lawyer says when asked to clarify in court.
Management
Congress searches for shutdown off-ramp as DHS employees start missing pay
Republican leaders hope a new vote this week, and pressure from war in Iran, will help spur a breakthrough on DHS funding.
Workforce
Officials warn disaster response at risk as former and current FEMA leaders clash in court over mass staff cuts
Recent FEMA execs say the current leadership does not understand how the agency actually works.
Management
USDA to offload HQ building as it prepares to consolidate space and relocate staff
The department plans to move employees around the country by the end of the year.
Workforce
Fate of CFPB employees hang in the balance as judges consider agency's future
The Trump administration is seeking authority to lay off nearly all employees at the consumer watchdog.
Workforce
OPM formally proposes limiting top performance ratings for federal workers
The plan to institute a forced or “standardized” distribution of performance ratings upon the federal workforce has survived mostly unchanged from a December draft that drew near universal criticism from agency officials in internal deliberations last month.
Pay & Benefits
Still digging out from the last shutdown, DHS employees brace for more delayed pay
Employees are finding ways to save on commuting and child care costs, while DHS agencies say their operations are suffering.
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Management
VA doesn't know how many calls it's answering or how long veterans are waiting to get through
The department's failure to track call data is putting "veterans who may need timely and critical care at risk," the inspector general finds.
Management
Democrats sound alarm on Interior reorg's impact on wildfires, land management
Unauthorized shifts to staffing could leave DOI agencies underresourced for critical duties, lawmakers say.
Management
DHS to shut down after lawmakers, White House fail to reach agreement on funding and reforms
Most non-ICE, non-CBP employees are now facing potentially delayed paychecks.
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Management
‘Suicide is only one option': Social Security staff newly assigned to phone duties raise concerns over training
Experts and SSA employees question wisdom of telling callers in crisis that suicide is an option.
Management
DHS officials implore lawmakers not to force their employees to endure more delayed pay during a shutdown
With the deadline nearing, leaders at the Homeland Security Department warn of long waits at airports and diminished disaster recovery if Congress fails to act.
Workforce
IRS tasks more staff without any tax experience to process tax returns
“This has the potential to be a disaster,” employees warn as the tax agency scrambles to prepare for the already underway filing season.
Workforce
Congress paused all federal layoffs for 3 months. That's set to change this week
A ban on agency RIFs is scheduled to be lifted after Feb. 13.
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Defense
Some Army civilians worked during the shutdown—and were told to say they didn’t
What started as confusion became a coverup, employees and emails say.
Workforce
Social Security is directing employees who normally process benefits to answer phones instead
After shedding thousands of employees, SSA is reassigning workers amid fears the moves will cause backlogs to grow.
Management
'Setting this agency up for failure': Amid staffing crunch, IRS taps employees with no relevant experience to assist during filing season
The tax agency is taking unusual steps to prepare for its busy season after watchdog finds it is severely underprepared.
Management
Partial shutdown ends less than 4 days after it began
Nearly every federal agency is now funded through September and employees will be paid for the days they were furloughed.
Workforce
Employees begin furloughs as lawmakers hope to end shutdown Tuesday
The unusual nature of the funding lapse has led to some confusion for impacted federal workers.
Updated
Management
White House initiates shutdown process as Congress hopes to keep duration minimal
Impacted employees will soon receive furlough notices, though they could still avoid missing any time.
