Author Archive
Pay & Benefits
USDA Slashes Buyout Payments for Scientific Agency Employees By 60% Ahead of Relocation
Employees of research agencies have less than a week to decide whether to accept $10,000 voluntary separation payments, despite being offered upwards of $25,000 in June.
Management
Budget Talks Will Break Down if White House Bypasses Congress to Cut Foreign Aid, Pelosi Warns
The Democratic leader stresses that the State Department must be allowed to continue spending money while Congress considers any rescission request, per a GAO legal analysis.
Management
New Lawsuit Argues Impasses Panel's Recent Decisions Are Illegitimate
Union argues the Federal Service Impasses Panel must have all seven members in order to issue decisions, and that panel appointees must be confirmed by the Senate.
Management
Another Union Sues to Block Trump Workforce Orders
Although an injunction against the executive orders could soon be lifted, a federal lawsuit brought by a union representing Veterans Affairs employees in New York could prolong the Trump administration’s efforts to curtail collective bargaining activities.
Oversight
State Dept. IG: Appointees Retaliated Against Career Feds Over Perceived ‘Disloyalty’
Watchdog found multiple instances where career employees were retaliated against, or denied promotions, because of a perception that they were “Obama holdovers.”
Pay & Benefits
What Needs to Happen for Civilians to Get a 2020 Pay Raise
Trump is likely to announce by the end of August his intent to institute a pay freeze, and Congress would need to override him.
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.
Featured eBooks
Management
Court: Injunction Blocking Workforce Executive Orders Will Remain in Place
The Trump administration had urged judges to allow the orders targeting federal unions to be implemented immediately, rather than waiting for any union appeals.
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.
Management
USDA, Union Reach Deal to Ease Relocation Impact on Feds
Employees who agree to move to Kansas City will be given a financial incentive and a transition period of at least three months during which they can continue to work from Washington.
Management
Social Security Administrator Institutes Partial Hiring Freeze
Unions say they have not been briefed on the measure, which applies to all headquarters components and regional offices.
Oversight
Lawmaker on USDA Office Relocations: 'This Fight is Not Over'
Department officials reaffirmed they will allow employees to change their mind about whether to move to Kansas City until late September, but management has resisted setting that in stone.
Pay & Benefits
Officials Clarify Coming Opioid Restrictions, Retirement Backlog Stays Steady and More
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Management
EPA Administrator Says Culprit for Racist Messages Was 'Held Accountable'
Environmental Protection Agency officials last year sought to reassure employees following a spat of racist messages at agency facilities.
Featured eBooks
Management
Senate Democrats Demand VA Return to Bargaining Table with Union
Lawmakers accuse department leadership of “anti-worker, anti-union” tactics.
Management
Unions Urge Court Not to Lift Injunction on Workforce Executive Orders
Attorneys argue that the Justice Department failed to prove that the government would suffer “irreparable harm” if it had to wait 45 days before implementing the orders.
Management
Bipartisan Bill Would Restore Administrative Law Judges to Competitive Service
President Trump last year signed an executive order moving ALJs into the excepted service, claiming it was required to comply with a Supreme Court decision. But stakeholders argued it politicized the job.
Pay & Benefits
TSP Posts Modest Gains in July, Although International Stocks Fall
Most funds in the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program saw only slight increases last month.
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