Pay & Benefits
A Senator Is Once Again Trying to Keep TSP Investments Out of China
The TSP Fiduciary Security Act would require the agency that administers the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program to consider national security issues as part of its decision-making process.
Workforce
OPM Deputy Touts Agency’s Newly Proactive Stance on Labor Issues
Rob Shriver says recent efforts by officials to mediate labor-management disputes is part of the Office of Personnel Management’s transformation into being the government’s leader on human capital issues.
Pay & Benefits
Biden Instructs Agencies to Expand Some Forms of Paid, Unpaid Leave for Feds
A memo to agency heads urges them to support federal workers who need to take paid or unpaid leave for a family matter or to escape from domestic violence and other dangerous situations.
Workforce
House Republicans Vote to Turn Back Time on Telework Policies
The SHOW UP Act would require federal agencies to revert to their telework policies prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pay & Benefits
All TSP Portfolios Started Strong in 2023
Every fund in the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program posted gains in January.
Workforce
Federal Firefighter Groups Find Flaws in a Watchdog's Conclusions on Recruitment, Retention Challenges
GAO didn’t speak to enough frontline firefighters to form a holistic set of recommendations to address the staffing shortage affecting agencies that fight wildfires, groups say.
Workforce
OPM to Agencies: Make Sure You Haven’t Incorrectly Told Employees They Can’t Join a Union
The directive is aimed at correcting instances where employees were improperly labeled as management officials.
Pay & Benefits
Congressional Democrats Propose an 8.7% Pay Raise for Feds in 2024
The annually introduced bill would provide a 4.7% across-the-board increase in basic pay and an average 4% increase to locality pay.
Oversight
OPM Has Replaced Its Embattled CFO Following Harassment Report
The Defense Department inspector general recently substantiated complaints that the senior executive sexually harassed subordinates and used racial slurs.
Workforce
Agencies Are Emphasizing Skills and Experience in Hiring. The House Has Voted to Make it Official.
The measure would bring civil service law in line with initiatives already underway to improve how the federal government recruits and hires new workers.
Pay & Benefits
Oversight Republicans Demand Answers from OPM on FEHBP Fraud Risk Report
House Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer claimed, without evidence, that the insurance program for federal employees is “riddled” with ineligible participants.
Workforce
OPM Guidance Lays Out Vision for ‘Exceptional’ Internship Programs at Agencies
Agencies should expand the number of interns they hire each year, among other things.
Oversight
OPM Official Accused of Using N-Word, Sexual Harassment During His Tenure at Defense
OPM confirmed it is reviewing the inspector general’s report.
Management
The White House Will Require Agency Labor Advisors to Oversee Federal Contractors
Following through on a recommendation from a White House task force on empowering workers, administration officials said the 24 largest agencies must designate labor advisors, and strongly encouraged smaller agencies to do the same.
Oversight
Although USDA Agencies that Relocated to Kansas City Have Recovered from Staff Exoduses, Their Diversity Hasn’t
The Agriculture Department’s Economic Research Service and National Institutes of Food and Agriculture shed more than half their workforces following their relocation from Washington to Kansas City.
Workforce
State of the Unions: A New Normal
After nearly four years of drag-out fights with the Trump administration, President Biden pitched himself as a willing partner to federal employee unions. How have the government and unions navigated the transition to this new approach?
Pay & Benefits
OPM Should Do More to Prevent Improper FEHBP Payments
The Government Accountability Office on Monday reported that OPM has no fulsome way to monitor the eligibility of participants in the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program.
Workforce
Supreme Court Justices Seem Skeptical of State Challenge of FLRA’s Jurisdiction Over National Guard Civilians
“Is Ohio just crazy” for repudiating collective bargaining obligations with civilian technicians of the Ohio National Guard, asked one conservative jurist.
Workforce
The Federal Labor Relations Authority Is Now Ideologically Deadlocked After Its Chairman’s Term Expired
President Biden designated Susan Tsui Grundmann to be chairwoman of the agency after Ernest DuBester reached the end of his term, although the president could reappoint the longtime FLRA member.
Workforce