Workforce
The ‘Ban the Box’ Prohibition at Federal Agencies Will Soon Be Expanded
OPM has proposed a rule implementing The Fair Chance Act, which expands a preexisting ban on asking federal job applicants about criminal histories before the conditional job offer phase of the hiring process, and sets up a mechanism for applicants to report violations of the rule.
Pay & Benefits
VA Will Provide Presumptive Disability Coverage to Vets with Respiratory Cancers
Veterans who have developed any number of nine rare cancers associated with burn pits will no longer have to prove that their conditions were caused during their service overseas.
Employee Policy
USDA had a plan for the best place to relocate two agencies—but didn't follow it
GAO finds the department's approach to relocating its Economic Research Service and National Institute of Food and Agriculture to Kansas City in 2019 had "significant limitations."
Oversight
USDA Had a Plan for Determining the Best Place to Relocate Two Science Agencies. It Didn’t Follow It.
GAO finds the department's approach to relocating its Economic Research Service and National Institute of Food and Agriculture to Kansas City in 2019 had "significant limitations."
Pay & Benefits
It's Now Easier for Federal Firefighters to File for Workers Comp
For an array of chronic illnesses that have been linked with firefighting as a profession, federal firefighters will no longer have to prove precisely what incident caused their ailment.
Pay & Benefits
The Political Appointee Pay Freeze Continues, and More
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Pay
Feds can now donate to Ukraine relief, directly
Through June 30, feds can pledge donations to charities working on relief efforts in Ukraine—in a special round of the Combined Federal Campaign.
Pay & Benefits
Feds Can Now Donate to Ukraine Relief Efforts Directly From Their Paychecks
Between now and June 30, federal workers can pledge to donate to thousands of charities working on relief efforts in Ukraine as part of a special round of the Combined Federal Campaign.
Employee Policy
OPM: Better data-tracking and benefits education to improve equity
The report by OPM—the federal government HR agency—was one of more than 90 equity action plans released last week by the administration.
Management
Republican Senators Are Holding Up TSP Board Nominees Over Abandoned I Fund Changes
Three Republican senators have demanded that Thrift Savings Plan board nominees never shift the I Fund’s investments to track a more comprehensive market index that includes Chinese investments.
Workforce
OPM Targets Data and Benefits Education to Improve Equity in the Federal Workforce
The federal government HR agency’s report was one of more than 90 equity action plans released by the Biden administration this week.
TSP
Bill would permit feds to save for retirement longer
The legislation calls for raising the age when mandatory distributions must begin from 72 to 75.
Pay & Benefits
A Bill Could Let Feds Save for Retirement Longer, and More
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Employee Policy
With Social Security offices reopened, unions report a mixed bag
Some components of the agency report a more collaborative labor-management relationship—but not field office employees, who now complain of feeling physically threatened at work.
Workforce
OPM Issues More Guidance to Encourage Collective Bargaining at Agencies
Building on President Biden’s executive order encouraging more collaborative labor-management relations, OPM strongly encouraged federal agencies to improve unions’ ability to communicate with workers and collect dues.
Workforce
Less Than a Week after Social Security Offices Reopen, Unions Report a Mixed Bag
Although some components reported a more collaborative labor-management relationship, that did not extend to field office employees, who now report feeling physically threatened at work.
Management
Biden’s Management Agenda Update Adds Metrics to Workforce Goals
The White House’s first update to the president’s management agenda, first released last November, lines up tasks for agencies and attaches individual officials to goals.
Pay & Benefits
Hiring and Death Benefits Reforms Are Moving Forward on Capitol Hill
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Benefits
What feds should know: New paid parental bereavement leave benefit
Thanks to the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act, feds can take up to two weeks off after the death of a child.
Pay & Benefits