Author Archive
Updated
Management
State Department appeals board, now with limited authority, gains new members
The Trump administration recently limited the board’s authority to challenge employee removals and other adverse personnel actions, asserting that the secretary of state has final say on these decisions.
Tech
Tax chief pushes 'AI-first IRS' to get more out of agency's workforce
The IRS made more than 4,000 hires this year, but its headcount remains mostly unchanged after cutting more than a quarter of its workforce last year.
Management
Judge extends temporary pause in USDA relocations as he considers indefinite freeze
A federal judge in San Francisco said it was "significant" that Congress included a provision in a fiscal 2026 spending package that blocked the Agriculture Department from reorganizing without approval from the House and Senate appropriations committees.
Updated
Workforce
‘Nobody knows anything.’ Displaced IRS staff move from one project to another with few details why
IRS employees who completed a stint in taxpayer services are moving onto their next assignment, and some IT executives coming back from an extended period of paid administrative leave
Management
Shutdown mass-layoff policy rescinded as part of settlement with unions
The Trump administration sent reduction in force notices to thousands of employees during the 43-day government shutdown last fall.
Management
VA’s contracting crackdown gave some staff hours to do hundreds of reviews
VA's watchdog office noted these reviews happened quickly under strict deadlines, but generally complied with requirements for terminating contracts.
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Management
IRS and Social Security will see more employees quit without advanced leave, senators warn
Senate Democrats warn employees will “inevitably leave” both agencies following a suspension of advanced leave, adding to deep staffing cuts.
Featured eBooks
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Management
IRS watchdog audits employee reassignments, as agency looks to extend some tours of duty
Employees placed on these involuntary details are doing jobs several pay grades below the work they were hired to perform, but continue to receive their regular paychecks.
Management
Labor’s disability accommodation delays under scrutiny by House lawmakers
Lawmakers say interim accommodations “are infrequently considered,” and that staffing shortages have contributed to significant processing delays and growing backlogs.
Management
VA disputes arbitration fees split with union it’s fighting to no longer recognize
VA officials say the agency will pay a "portion" of what a third-party arbitrator billed it, but is "unable to pay” for services rendered when VA didn't officially recognize its largest union.
Updated
Management
VA’s reported staffing challenges in healthcare facilities hit 7-year high
An annual report from VA’s inspector general office highlights the types of positions VA healthcare facilities have difficulty filling when they need to hire, but “does not necessarily indicate the presence of vacancies.”
Management
Education Department shutdown plans face a new hurdle
House and Senate Democrats optimistic about the outcome of year's midterm elections outlined their plans on Tuesday to stop the Education Department from closing down.
Management
Supreme Court keeps USPS from carrying out mail-in voting changes in midterm elections
Postmaster General David Steiner previously told Government Executive that USPS would comply if the courts decided to block these changes.
Management
DHS secretary defends smaller FEMA workforce after judge challenges 50% staffing cut plans
Markwayne Mullin pointed to technology investments as a way for the disaster agency to operate with a smaller workforce, even as a federal judge in San Francisco ruled that DHS "unlawfully ordered” FEMA to cut its staffing by half.
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Management
Judge grants temporary pause in USDA relocations in new lawsuit
A federal judge in San Francisco said an administrative stay “doesn't say anything about the merits" of the case, but would give him more time to “adjudicate this properly.”
Management
USPS workers most impacted by mail-in ballot EO haven’t been trained yet, union warns
If the Supreme Court clears the way for USPS to implement the Trump administration’s mail-in ballot executive order, the American Postal Workers Union says its members will have little time to prepare for these changes.
Management
CDC, after months of delays, gives employees 20 days to resubmit disability accommodation documentation
CDC is spending months, if not longer, to process reasonable accommodation requests because HHS-wide layoffs and separation incentives decimated the department’s human resources functions.
Updated
Management
USDA employees dispute ‘inflated’ claim that most staff asked to relocate will do so
USDA employees say they have nothing to lose by saying they plan to relocate, even if they have no intention of moving, or are only considering it as a last resort.
Management
OPM taps new healthcare and insurance chief ahead of Open Season
Matthew Kiley will take over as the division prepares for Open Season following a round of workforce cuts.
Management
Shutdown threat possibly lifted as House passes stopgap spending bill
The measure gives Congress more time to reach a deal on a comprehensive spending package for fiscal 2027.
