Author Archive

Nathan Abse

Contributing Editor

Nathan Abse is a writer and editor in Washington, D.C. He has worked for The Washington Post, The Independent (London), Foreign Policy, 1105 Media and other publications.
Nathan Abse is a writer and editor in Washington, D.C. He has worked for The Washington Post, The Independent (London), Foreign Policy, 1105 Media and other publications.
Pay & Benefits

Large federal unions endorse the auto worker strike action. A scholar explains why

“They know their job security depends on not just protecting their own rights, but a strong private sector,” says John P. Beck, of Michigan State University.

Pay & Benefits

Come again? Political scientist sees shutdown as 'likely'— and feds need to get ready

With days left until funding for the federal government expires, some political experts foresee not only a shutdown, but possibly a long one, with an interruption in pay likely 

Pay & Benefits

Pay compression: One expert says a current bill would help, but deeper changes are still needed

“The relatively low pay for very skilled, very experienced workers is a serious problem,” says James L. Perry, professor emeritus of public administration at the University of Indiana.

Pay & Benefits

Military Survivor Annuity Program finally offers long-promised open season to choose new beneficiaries

Some retired service members say they are either outright denied or given an impossible runaround when they try to update their elections, but Defense agency pushes back on those allegations.

Pay & Benefits

House GOP plan to curb fed pay and benefits would come at a cost, experts say

Morale, recruitment and retention are likely to take a hit, and there are better ways to save money.

Pay & Benefits

The GOP wants to bring back pay for performance, but a leading expert says it’ll never work

Past pay-for-performance efforts have done “double duty as a kind of way to diminish the unions, go after the rank and file, and that was clear,” a researcher says.

Pay & Benefits

Even The Best Federal Health Benefits Won’t Protect You From The Wildfire Smoke

Great insurance and benefits only helps you to manage potentially terrible consequences. Better to prevent.

Pay & Benefits

Some Feds Fear They Might Not Get That Pay Raise Now That the Debt Deal is Inked

“The new debt ceiling deal could somehow encourage some in Congress to try for a limitation of 1% or something very low. This would be a huge problem,” says one fed union leader.

Pay & Benefits

A Labor Economist Predicts Stability in the Fed Pay Trendline, But With a Big Caveat

“There is always a long lag between when higher inflation starts to eat into a fed paycheck and when that paycheck starts to respond to inflation,” one compensation expert says.

Pay & Benefits

Fed Pay and Benefits Could be Hit Hard by Debt Ceiling Wheeling and Dealing

There are a few scenarios that could be bad for federal workers in the debt ceiling negotiations.

Pay & Benefits

'Benefits Envy' May Be Partly to Blame for the Erosion of Fed Compensation

“The sense that public employees have stuff that’s better” than that of private-sector workers persists, says one expert.

Pay & Benefits

Pay and Prestige For Civil Servants: The Historical Advantages—and Disadvantages—of Government Work

The advantages have “helped to recruit and keep some very good people in government work,” according to one academic.