Pay & Benefits
A Republican Bid to Fully Eliminate Union 'Official Time,' and More
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Management
Study: OPM-GSA Merger Proposal Would Not Have Solved Problems It Aimed to Fix
A team of analysts has recommended elevating OPM's role in human capital management and making it less involved in “transaction-by-transaction compliance” activities.
Management
NTEU to Push for Pay, Benefits, and Protections in 2021
National Treasury Employees Union National President Tony Reardon said that he has seen a “mixed bag” in terms of agency efforts to comply with President Biden’s workforce executive order.
Management
Unions Dog SSA Leadership over Perceived Inaction on Workforce Order
More than a week after OPM issued guidance on reopening union contracts negotiated during the Trump administration, Social Security Administration officials are dragging their feet, union officials say.
Pay & Benefits
OPM Announces Special Combined Federal Campaign for Texas Storm Victims
Washington, D.C.-area federal employees exceeded expectations and previous years’ totals, raising more than $37 million for charities in 2020.
Pay & Benefits
House Sends COVID Relief Bill with Sick Leave for Feds to Biden, and More
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Management
OPM Issues Guidance Revoking Diversity Training Ban
The action formally rescinds a directive barring agencies and contractors from conducting certain types of training.
Management
House Democrats Join Chorus Calling for Changes at Social Security
The job security of the Trump-appointed administrator and deputy administrator of the Social Security Administration remains in doubt, as the Biden administration continues to oust holdover appointees elsewhere in the government.
Management
OPM Instructs Agencies to Reopen Trump-era Union Contracts
Departments currently engaged in collective bargaining negotiations are expected to rescind proposals restricting unions’ access to official time, grievance proceedings and to begin bargaining “in good faith.”
Pay & Benefits
Senate COVID Relief Bill Retains 15 Weeks of Paid Leave for Feds Despite GOP Opposition
Republican lawmakers have made the provision a target of attacks, claiming it is too generous and lacks oversight.
Pay & Benefits
3.2% Federal Pay Raise Bill Appears in Senate
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Pay & Benefits
Biden Administration Brings Back Presidential Rank Awards
The Office of Personnel Management is fielding nominations for the annual awards for senior federal workers, after last year’s iteration of the program was cancelled due to COVID-19.
Oversight
GAO: Federal Human Capital Management has Regressed Over Last Two Years
The government watchdog agency faulted a lack of leadership at OPM for the failure to address gaps in critical skills and other federal workforce issues.
Management
Senior Biden Official Vows to Repair ‘Damage’ to Federal Workforce
The White House will unveil reforms in the forthcoming president's management agenda, OMB's director of performance management said on Monday.
Pay & Benefits
Most TSP Portfolios Rebound After Difficult January
Nearly every fund in the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program increased in value in February.
Management
Past Marijuana Use Is No Longer a Disqualifier for a Federal Job
As more states legalize marijuana, the federal government’s HR agency said agencies can hire people who have used the drug, provided there is “evidence” the candidate will not use it anymore.
Management
Biden Rescinds Memo Granting Defense Secretary Authority to Ban Unions
Last year, then-President Trump granted the Defense secretary authority to strip Pentagon employees of their rights to bargain collectively, although it was never acted upon.
Pay & Benefits
Democrats Introduce Slew of Bills to Strengthen Protections for Federal Workforce
Lawmakers are pushing to bolster diversity efforts at national security agencies, require greater transparency ahead of agency relocation efforts, and reauthorize the Merit Systems Protection Board.
Management
Advocates, Experts Urge More Protections for Feds Following Trump Workforce Initiatives
Union officials and good government experts said Congress needs more guardrails in place to protect the federal civil service, while a former Trump official defended the administration’s actions.
Management