Employee Policy

Connolly introduces bill to "rebuild" OPM

A key goal of the bill is to ensure that future OPM directors are nonpartisan.

Employee Policy

WH rolls out workforce DEIA strategy

The Biden administration just last week issued agencies a new roadmap to guide their efforts to develop strategic plans for diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA), as required under a June 2021 executive order.

Employee Policy

New rule: $15 min wage for fed contractors

Employees working on federal contracts will have a $15 minimum wage starting on Jan. 30, 2022, per a new rule issued by the Labor Department.

Employee Policy

Digital Service Academy? Agency tech leaders weigh in

Agency tech leaders sounded off to the Government Accountability Office about the prospect of launching a digital service training school modeled on the military service academies to bring more tech talent into government.

Employee Policy

WH releases "vision" for management agenda

The president's management agenda will stress the federal workforce, customer service user experience and equity—as well as a push to build capacity in financial management and improve acquisition.

Employee Policy

Recruitment is top of mind for OPM's Ahuja

"If we want the best talent meeting America's needs, then we need to be smart about creating opportunities for them," OPM Director Kiran Ahuja said at an event hosted by a FederalSoup partner publication, FCW.

Employee Policy

Vaccine mandate, holiday travel loom at TSA

TSA has reported to us that it does not expect the upcoming vaccination deadline for feds to cause disruptions.

Employee Policy

New DHS cyber talent system goes into effect

Agency officials estimate that around 1,000 of its 1,500 cyber vacancies could fit into the new scheme.

Employee Policy

OPM updates decades-old telework guide

The Office of Personnel Management is asking agencies to rethink their approach to work in light of lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Employee Policy

Union complains of "double standard" on mandates

AFGE is asking policymakers to put federal employees and contractors on the same clock, when it comes to COVID-19 vaccination requirements.

Employee Policy

SSA plans to bring workers back

Field office and teleservice employees at the Social Security Administration will still have some ability to telework even after the agency implements a "reentry process" for managers and staff.

Employee Policy

DOL rolls back contractor religious exemption

DOL announced it would undo a rule that was criticized by civil rights activists as easing the ability of some federal contractors to discriminate when making hiring decisions.

Employee Policy

Training the diplomats of the future

The pandemic pushed much of the department's training online and the Foreign Service Institute is looking to adapt some of the lessons of virtual education for the future.

Employee Policy

WH: "There's not a cliff here" on vaccine deadlines

For feds and contractors who don't hit vaccination deadlines, processes for remediation will kick in before more serious enforcement measures are taken, White House coronavirus coordinator Jeffrey Zients said.

Employee Policy

TSP to launch mobile app next year

The Thrift Savings Plan will offer a mobile app, as part of a plan to consolidate multiple service contracts at the FRTIB.

Employee Policy

GAO prods OPM to review pandemic hiring

A new Government Accountability Office report says that not compiling the lessons learned from special hiring authorities could "risk significantly hindering the government's ability to recruit, hire, retain and manage its current COVID-19 pandemic workforce as well as for future pandemics or emergencies."

Employee Policy

IGs look to expand investigative authority

Agency watchdogs are telling lawmakers that they want authority to subpoena former federal employees, contractors and other non-governmental witnesses, for testimony in IG probes

Employee Policy

FLRA faces backlogs, staffing woes

The agency has been without a general counsel for years, leaving it unable to resolve charges of unfair labor practices, but the Senate is poised to confirm new leadership.

Employee Policy

The workforce challenge facing the IRS

Can the tax agency solve the problem of a shrinking workforce and an increasing workload?

Employee Policy

MSPB's online appeals system is getting a revamp

The agency is modernizing its online appeals system used by feds. Accessibility needs to be a central part of that entire process, said agency officials.