Management
OPM Nominee Pledges ‘Nonpartisan’ Governance Despite Anti-Islam, Conspiracy Theorist Views
John Gibbs did not apologize for tweets disparaging Muslims or accusing leaders of the Democratic party of engaging in satanic rituals, but said he would not tolerate discrimination if confirmed.
Pay & Benefits
Lawmakers Make Last Ditch Push for Payroll Tax Deferral Opt-Out
Despite efforts, it appears unlikely the administration will reverse course on forcing federal workers to temporarily skip paying taxes that go toward Social Security.
Management
White House Moves to Redirect Funding for Some Diversity Training at Agencies
Citing unnamed “press reports,” OMB said some training conducted by agencies is “un-American” and sows division in the federal workforce.
Pay & Benefits
Payroll Tax Deferral Will Be Mandatory for Eligible Feds, Service Members
The Trump administration has ignored calls to allow federal employees to opt out of the planned deferral of Social Security taxes from lawmakers and federal employee groups.
Pay & Benefits
Lawmakers Demand Answers on Payroll Tax Deferral, and More
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Pay & Benefits
Planned Payroll Tax Deferrals Create Minefield for Feds
If the deferment is made permanent, employees could see a lower payout in retirement; if not, employees could receive a large tax bill next year, union official says.
Pay & Benefits
Most TSP Funds Continued Ascent in August
Only one portfolio in the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program ended last month in the red.
Pay & Benefits
Justice Department Employees Urge Leadership to End Pay Disparities
A group of six associations within the Justice Department said the practice of asking job applicants for their salary history fuels inequitable pay.
Management
Agencies Can Improve Hiring Practices on Their Own
They don't need to wait for legislation or support from OPM; they can make key improvements with just a few administrative changes, the Partnership for Public Service reports.
Management
Social Security Denies Lake Charles Employees Weather and Safety Leave Despite Category 4 Hurricane
Just hours after Hurricane Laura made land fall along the western Louisiana coast, employees at the agency’s Lake Charles, La., field office were expected to work from hotel rooms after evacuating ahead of the storm.
Pay & Benefits
OPM Announces Annual Giving Drive, and More
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Oversight
GAO: Federal Agencies Lag in Retaining Veteran Employees
Between fiscal 2014 and 2018, nearly 7% of veterans left federal service, compared with only 5% of non-veterans, the watchdog agency found.
Pay & Benefits
Survey: Vast Majority of TSP Participants Are Satisfied With the Retirement Savings Program
Although satisfaction levels are slightly down compared with 2017, officials with the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program said that is likely due to market volatility at the time of the survey.
Management
Survey: Most Feds Who Have Been Working From Home During the Pandemic Are Afraid to Return to Their Offices
Nearly 80% of teleworking respondents to a new survey from AFGE said they don’t feel safe going back to their traditional worksite.
Management
Labor Authority: Unions Can't Do 'Grassroots' Lobbying on Official Time
Although federal employee groups decried the decision, the Federal Labor Relations Authority stopped short of a conservative anti-labor organization's request to outlaw direct lobbying of lawmakers while on official time.
Management
Union: Social Security Is Withholding Information and Refusing to Bargain as Some Employees Return to Offices
Agency argues most employees are still teleworking to the maximum extent possible and there has been no major change in work arrangements that would require negotiation.
Pay & Benefits
Per Diem Rates Won't Change Much Next Year, and More
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Management
AFGE Pushes for Workforce Protections in Defense Policy Bill Negotiations
The nation’s largest federal employee union urged lawmakers to include collective bargaining protections and fix a soon to be implemented paid parental leave law.
Oversight
House Lawmakers Demand Info on Viewpoint Survey Delay
Last month, the Office of Personnel Management announced that it would delay administration of the annual Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey just four days before it was slated to commence.
Pay & Benefits