Pay & Benefits
TSP Portfolios Plummet, and a Delay to the Annual Federal Morale Survey
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Management
Federal Employee Union Sues Impasses Panel, Calls Its Appointment ‘Unlawful’
AFGE argues that the Trump administration violated the law in appointing anti-labor advocates to the Federal Service Impasses Panel, and that panel members should be subject to Senate confirmation.
Management
OPM Offers Tips for Agencies to Help Teleworking Feds with Caregiving
The federal government’s HR agency encouraged agencies to be flexible with employees who have children or other relatives they must care for with school and other care facilities closed.
Pay & Benefits
Federal Workers, Union Sue for Hazard Pay
A federal class action lawsuit argues that agencies should be required to provide hazardous duty pay to federal employees who have been exposed to the coronavirus.
Management
Immigration Services Agency Seeks to Suspend Bargaining With Union Amid Coronavirus Outbreak
Although the agency already is allowed to implement workplace changes because of the national health emergency, officials now want to skip post-implementation bargaining as well.
Pay & Benefits
Federal Workers, Dems Push for Hazard Pay in Next Coronavirus Legislation
House lawmakers and unions want feds to receive extra compensation if their job puts them at risk of exposure to COVID-19, but the provision was not included in the $2 trillion relief package approved by the Senate Wednesday night.
Pay & Benefits
Pentagon Postpones Some Medical Procedures, and More
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Management
FLRA Sets Sights on Official Time for ‘Lobbying Activities’
Critics say federal labor law specifically allows employee unions to negotiate for official time in connection with presenting the union’s views to Congress.
Management
Bipartisan Legislation Would Direct Federal Agencies to Allow Full-Time Telework
Senators from both parties said the Trump administration’s guidance encouraging agencies to allow their employees to work remotely proved inadequate to protect employees and the public from the coronavirus outbreak.
Pay & Benefits
TSP Officials Report Continuous Service Despite Coronavirus, Market Volatility
Officials at the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program said although the agency saw a record number of inter-fund transfers, most participants are sticking with their investment plan.
Management
Social Security Institutes Fulltime Telework for Most Employees
Some workers will temporarily be provided weather and safety leave until the agency can increase its supply of equipment, while others could be recalled for short periods to handle non-portable work.
Management
OPM Highlights 'Evacuation Pay' Authority As a Way Agencies Can Expedite Telework
The Office of Personnel Management on Thursday clarified a number of issues for both agencies and federal employees as they respond to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Management
Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Overturn Trump Collective Bargaining Decisions
A bipartisan measure would nullify President Trump’s three executive orders aimed at reducing the influence of federal employee unions, as well as a memo granting the secretary of Defense the authority to exempt the Pentagon from federal labor law.
Management
Senators Urge Trump Administration to Publish Agency Contingency Plans
Democratic lawmakers said that making agencies’ continuity of operations plans public could put the minds of both federal workers and members of the public at ease.
Management
Labor Authority Formally Proposes Rule Making It Easier for Feds to Cancel Union Dues
The agency tasked with administering federal sector labor law said it must change how federal workers cancel union dues to comply with a recent Supreme Court decision, but unions accused it of using the case as pretext to hamper labor groups.
Pay & Benefits
Lawmakers Urge Mandatory Telework, and OPM Highlights Defense Policy Act Pay Provisions
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Pay & Benefits
Social Security Closes All Local Offices Amid Coronavirus Threat
Although officials said the agency is working to expand telework as much as possible, union leaders disputed that, describing “Kafkaesque” inaction.
Pay & Benefits
Federal Judge Dismisses Shutdown Lawsuit
A federal employee union had argued that forcing federal employees to work without pay during a lapse in appropriations constitutes a violation of the Anti-Deficiency Act, but a judge on Monday ruled that with the government open, the case is now moot.
Management
USDA Allows Voluntary Telework Following Positive Coronavirus Test at Headquarters
The Agriculture Department has closed a section of its main office in Washington for "deep cleaning."
Pay & Benefits