Pay & Benefits
Federal payroll processor: Oct. 11 is deadline to avert feds’ getting incomplete paychecks
If Congress fails to restore funding to federal agencies, most federal workers will only receive a partial paycheck on Oct. 13.
Management
Sen. Kaine eyes another measure to make shutdowns less frequent
The Modernizing the Federal Calendar Act would shift the federal government’s fiscal year to align with the traditional calendar year.
Pay & Benefits
Federal workers will pay 7.7% more towards health insurance premiums in 2024
Next year, the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program will feature new coverage of anti-obesity medication, as well as expanded access to mental health, assistive reproductive technology and gender-affirming care.
Management
Senate to advance short-term funding measure as shutdown deadline nears
But the House is continuing to pursue deep cuts to spending that stand no chance across Capitol Hill or in the White House.
Pay & Benefits
Odds of a fix for impending wildland firefighter ‘pay cliff’ improve, but complications remain
Union officials say they’ve received assurances from leadership in both the House and Senate that Congress will work to avert massive pay cuts that could kick in next month.
Workforce
Science group threatens lawsuit over OPM’s failure to implement limiting involuntary leave for feds accused of misconduct
Although Congress passed a law aimed at preventing federal workers accused of misconduct from being stuck in limbo in 2016, the federal government’s HR agency never issued regulations to implement the measure.
Management
OPM advances skills-based hiring initiative with common competencies update for federal jobs
The federal government’s HR agency said it surveyed more than 90,000 federal workers to update its list of common skillsets needed in federal employment.
Workforce
Bill allowing past cannabis users to become feds advances in House
The bipartisan legislation was amended this week to remove provisions allowing current marijuana users to be eligible for federal employment or a security clearance.
Pay & Benefits
Your guide to pay and benefits during a shutdown
Congress is on a collision course with yet another lapse of appropriations, as House Speaker Kevin McCarthy struggles to corral the Republican caucus.
Workforce
New NTEU president scolds GOP over telework, anti-worker rhetoric
The recently elected union leader said labor groups need to do more to educate the public on how federal workers benefit their lives.
Workforce
Regulations aimed at derailing a Schedule F revival proposed by OPM
An effort to insulate the federal workforce from future efforts to strip them of their removal protections could accelerate an “existential” debate over the nonpartisan civil service system, experts said.
Workforce
Telework approach defended by agency leaders amid Republican pressure
Federal HR officials said, contrary to GOP lawmakers’ concerns, agencies monitor employees’ productivity while working remotely and ensure workers are not paid the improper amount in locality pay.
Pay & Benefits
Union warns at least one-third of federal wildland firefighters could walk if Congress walks off ‘pay cliff’
Officials with the National Federation of Federal Employees said Wednesday that competitors like Cal Fire and Pacific Gas and Electric are already looking to recruit federal firefighters fed up with their pay uncertainty.
Workforce
EEOC: ‘Ban the box’ policies are effective at federal agencies, but the government needs to raise awareness
In instances where a federal job applicant had a criminal record, the background check process only ruled them out over past criminal conduct 2% of the time, but many may still see their past as a barrier to joining the federal workforce.
Workforce
'It is fraud, folks. It’s fraud': The latest in a string of Republican accusations against federal teleworkers
Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, has requested investigations at every major federal department and agency into how telework and remote work have impacted service delivery, and whether federal workers are improperly receiving locality pay.
Management
Social Security Advisory Board urges quick action on SSA nominee, end to 6-year terms
Since the Social Security Administration was made independent from the Health and Human Services Department in the 1990s, only two of the agency’s commissioners have served the full six-year term.
Workforce
The shutdown threat would be off the table, under newly proposed legislation
A bill from Virginia Democrats would automatically trigger a continuing resolution when there is a lapse in appropriations and restrict the Senate’s ability to consider non-spending legislation until funding is figured out.
Workforce
OPM deputy defends administration's telework approach, touts ‘consensus-building’ in workforce policymaking
Rob Shriver argues the White House's calls to increase in-person work are consistent with the HR agency’s prior policies.
Pay & Benefits
Most TSP portfolios stumbled in August
The only fund in the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program that finished last month in the black was the G Fund, which increases at a statutorily mandated rate each month.
Pay & Benefits