Workforce
The Senate’s Defense Authorization Act Omits Most Workforce Provisions, For Now
Although many workforce-related policies included in the House-passed version of the annual defense policy bill are not included in the Senate’s latest draft of the bill, most could be added as amendments next month.
Pay & Benefits
Federal Retirees Are Set to Receive the Highest COLA in Decades, But Some Will Get Less Than Others
Civil Service Retirement System enrollees will see an 8.7% increase in their defined benefit pension payments in 2023, while participants in the Federal Employees Retirement System will only receive a 7.7% increase.
Workforce
OPM Authorizes Emergency Hiring for Hurricane Response
The federal government’s HR agency also reminded agencies of the variety of categories of leave available to federal workers impacted by a pair of recent severe storms.
Workforce
A Union Says the National Park Service Violated the Law by Allowing an HR Official to Pursue Decertification After Her Promotion
Federal labor law requires agencies to remain neutral on the question of whether employees want to be represented by a labor union.
Pay & Benefits
OPM Has Authorized Another Round of Paid Leave For Feds to Get COVID-19 Boosters
As part of the Biden administration’s efforts to encourage Americans to receive the latest COVID-19 booster, federal workers will get up to four hours of paid leave for the shot.
Management
Lawmakers Are Calling for Permanent Leadership at Social Security
Nearly two years into his tenure, President Biden has yet to name his choice to lead the agency, despite low morale, mounting attrition and lack of progress in labor-management relations.
Workforce
A 9-Year-Old Case Alleging Discrimination by NASA Can Finally Proceed
An administrative judge last week certified the classes of Black and Asian American employees at the agency, who allege its performance appraisal system discriminates against them, allowing the case to move forward.
Workforce
Supreme Court Takes Up Case Challenging FLRA's Long-Settled Jurisdiction Over National Guard Civilians
If the court’s conservative majority throws out the long-standing precedent that state national guards must comply with federal sector labor law, more than 20,000 employees could lose their collective bargaining rights.
Pay & Benefits
More than 100 Lawmakers Urge the Biden Administration To Extend Public Service Loan Forgiveness Waivers
Although the Education Department has proposed regulations to make permanent many provisions of a temporary waiver program aimed at making the popular program easier to navigate, those rules won’t take effect until next year.
Pay & Benefits
Federal Employees Will Pay 8.7% More Toward Health Care Premiums Next Year
The Office of Personnel Management said increased use of health care services as the COVID-19 pandemic has waned has led to the sharpest uptick in health insurance premiums in more than a decade.
Workforce
Senate Democrats Are Pushing to Prevent Another Schedule F, As Part of the Defense Policy Bill
Two senators hope to attach the text of the Preventing a Patronage System Act to the fiscal 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, following the House’s lead.
Pay & Benefits
A Federal Judge Will Allow a Federal Worker to Pursue Overtime Backpay From Training
A lawsuit challenges regulations from the Office of Personnel Management that state that federal employees cannot receive overtime pay in connection with entry-level job training.
Pay & Benefits
OPM Approves Multiple Emergency Leave Transfer Programs
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Workforce
Only Two Agencies Had Submitted Their Schedule F Plans for Approval Before Its Rescission, But Several Others Had Begun Work
Officials with the Office of Personnel Management told the Government Accountability Office that it did not issue regulations on the controversial executive order because they wanted to “observe” how agencies would implement it first.
Workforce
Unions Are Making a Last-Ditch Effort to Expand Bargaining Rights for VA Medical Professionals
Labor leaders are urging lawmakers to vote to repeal a longstanding bar against negotiating over matters affecting patient care before the end of Congress’ session.
Workforce
EEOC to Propose Rules Codifying Electronic Filing Options for Feds
Although the agency that investigates complaints of workplace discrimination has offered the option to file documents and track cases electronically for years, its regulations do not specifically endorse the current system.
Pay & Benefits
A Union Is Calling on the Administration to Do More to Retain Federal Firefighters
The Biden Administration secured significant pay raises for wildland firefighters as part of the bipartisan infrastructure law, but those increases are, for now, temporary and an exodus to stabler positions has continued.
Pay & Benefits
Your Guide to Pay and Benefits During a Shutdown
Although lawmakers are loath to let appropriations lapse ahead of an election, complications remain over permitting reform and other measures expected to be included in legislation to keep the government open.
Pay & Benefits
Locality Pay Tweaks, Proposed Social Security Benefit Changes and More
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Workforce