Pay & Benefits
Social Security: Could the New Congress’s Sharp Divide Lead to Compromise on Reform?
Social Security manages a huge chunk of what millions of fed families depend on for retirement, disability and survivor benefits, including the majority of current workers onboarded since the 1980s under the Federal Employees Retirement System.
Employee Policy
DOJ and NARA: Officials say Trump must locate and return more docs
New reports highlight continuing pressure by the Department of Justice on the former president to return additional records to NARA.
Employee Policy
Report: Trump document misuse began early, worsened …
The former president's document-management problems—and abuses—ultimately led to conflict with NARA and the FBI search and recovery at Mar-a-Lago in August. Multiple officials from his administration report that the issues got more intense over time.
Employee Policy
Three Mile Island: Whistleblowers saved the day ... after
A new documentary on errors made in the cleanup after the infamous 1979 nuclear accident reminds feds, and workers of all kinds, of the importance of whistleblowers—and the need for stronger whistleblower protections.
Employee Policy
Report: Probe of DHS IG remains slow-going
The much-criticized Trump-era Inspector General continues to vex critics.
Benefits
Burn pit victims: Feds, unions hail PACT Act
Feds cheered the new law's signing this week, and the coming of far more comprehensive and fair health care coverage for millions of vets who were exposed to toxic U.S. military "burn pits" abroad.
Employee Policy
Reports: Former president promises politicized civil service—seeks donations off prospect
New reports describe the former president's increasingly loud calls to turn back the clock on America's more than a century-old apolitical government agencies, and turn them into direct instruments of a president's administrative and political power.
Employee Policy
Abortion rights: DOJ group complains WH weak on protecting feds
A longstanding group working to protect gender equality rights for federal employees is charging that, in the month-and-a-half since the Dobbs decision, the Biden administration has taken “no action" on this important slice of the issue.
Employee Policy
West Virginia vs. EPA: To some, another win against the alleged “deep state”
The Supreme Court recently ruled to curb the EPA's power, with the possible implication of restricting federal regulatory strength in general.
Employee Policy
Report: State, AID must improve diversity—and measurements leading to it
The audit shows a lot of room for improvement in hiring and retention at both agencies.
Employee Policy
OPM data breach: Feds can claim their part of $63 million settlement
Affected feds, contractors and others can now seek monetary compensation for costs they suffered in the 2015 breach, through a newly launched settlement website.
Pay
Advocates, lawmakers laud firefighter pay boost
Federal wildland firefighters finally get long-awaited pay boost, and advocates are relieved.
Employee Policy
Despite polarizing politics, civil service protections endure—for now
With hearings on the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol insurrection looming, political scientist Kenneth Warren discusses the danger extreme polarization poses to American politics—and, over time, the civil service.
Employee Policy
All hands on deck?
Even as many feds have returned to their agency offices and other traditional workplaces, some argue far many more should be back at their desks.
Employee Policy
New or aspiring fed? Check out the redesigned GoGovernment.org
A newly revamped GoGovernment.org, from the Partnership for Public Service (PPS), helps quickly inspire and guide new and returning applicants on their journey to federal employment.
Retirement
Report: In one year, inflation ate 10% of Social Security’s buying power
A report from the Senior Citizens League highlights the loss of buying power in Social Security payments, tracking their erosion over time vs. inflation—and an especially harsh loss of 10% over the past year.
Pay
TSA bill passes House, promises better pay
If the bill becomes law, Transportation Security Officers and other TSA employees would see a significant pay raise—and gain access to the same appeals processes permitted for other federal employees.
Benefits
Despite recent losses, USPS and unions see improvement ahead
The Postal Service recently reported a rise in overall revenue but some all-too-familiar net losses. However, in the wake of the recently passed Postal Service Reform Act, both management and unions expect better balance sheets in the future.
Pay
TSA workers, reps press for full GS rights
Transportation Security Agency employees aim this week to see the House pass a bill that would provide them with better pay and appeal options, similar to those available to other federal employees.
Employee Policy