Pay & Benefits
TSP funds round out 2012 with modest gains
All but one grew in December, with international investments performing best.
Management
USPS must pay for retirees now or later, GAO says
Agency faces stark choices in balancing short-term needs and long-term obligations.
Management
Revolving door still open to Coast Guard top officers, senior execs, GAO finds
Higher-ups often leave for agency contractors.
Defense
Reported sexual assaults at military academies continue to rise
Number has increased since 2008.
Pay & Benefits
Obama gives feds Christmas Eve off
Federal employees receive extra paid holiday and a four-day weekend.
Pay & Benefits
House passes bill requiring feds to pay more for retirement
Legislation passes before GOP leader pulls tax bill from floor for lack of support.
Oversight
Congress approves Hatch Act update
Some state and local officials will be able to run for partisan elected office.
Pay & Benefits
House backs unpaid leave for senior execs under investigation
Bill clears chamber with overwhelming bipartisan support; will move to the Senate.
Pay & Benefits
A less popular fed petition: Actually, don't give us Christmas Eve off
Signatories say they are happy just to have jobs over the holidays.
Pay & Benefits
Postal reps stage hunger strike, pledge 'escalating tactics' on lawmakers
Union representatives protest against cuts to Postal Service.
Management
Federal fundraising drive extends deadline for donations
D.C. region is falling short of its contribution goal.
Pay & Benefits
Feds force Obama to respond to Christmas Eve petition
Online petition to get an extra day off on Dec. 24 reaches 25,000 signatures.
Defense
Military personnel exception deepens other sequestration impacts
Joint Chiefs Chairman Dempsey warns of civilian furloughs.
Management
Study: Thousands would lose jobs from NASA, NOAA budget cuts
Industry report says sequestration would be very costly for federal scientific agencies.
Management
Employee satisfaction dips by record margin, with pay taking biggest plunge
Two-thirds of agencies see decrease in ratings on Best Places to Work survey.
Pay & Benefits
Supreme Court: Feds can challenge MSPB decisions in federal district court
Justices say government’s argument was too convoluted.
Management
23,600 employees accept Postal Service buyouts
Separation incentives are part of ongoing workforce reduction effort as lawmakers continue to pursue reforms.
Pay & Benefits
Federal employee advocates to Congress: Don’t cut workers’ comp
Senate has proposed trimming benefits to retirement-age former employees receiving benefits due to on-the-job injury.
Management
Agencies warn of furloughs, hiring freezes
Planning intensifies in preparation for sequestration.
Defense