Author Archive
Workforce
Young people don’t trust the federal government, but will work for it
The Partnership for Public Service suggested that federal agencies could consider partnering with social media influencers to build trust with young people.
Updated
Management
Officials describe rosy future for problem-plagued background check system overhaul
One interagency official said a long-awaited implementation strategy for the National Background Investigation Services system would be released this week.
Management
EEOC touts more than two decades of data-based agency anti-discrimination policy
Management Directive 715, which debuted in 2003, has improved EEO data collection in the federal workforce, providing better insights.
Management
Trump’s refusal, so far, of transition assistance creates a ‘real risk’ for government continuity
The Harris campaign has reached agreements with GSA and the White House on presidential transition preparations.
Oversight
DHS IG committed ‘substantial misconduct,’ governmental watchdog finds
Whether Joseph Cuffari is removed or not is up to President Biden.
Oversight
OSC praises case resolutions involving alleged retaliation against federal employees
The findings come as the Merit Systems Protection Board makes a change to how it handles OSC petitions.
Pay & Benefits
VA proposes grant program offering vets legal services to help obtain benefits
The department’s goal is to assist former service members who were discharged under other than honorable conditions but could still be eligible for VA benefits.
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Oversight
Amid hiring surge, two VA agencies face employee background check deficiencies
The inspector general warned that shortcomings in the agencies’ background check programs were letting in unvetted staff.
News
The National Academy of Public Administration taps new leader
James-Christian B. Blockwood — a senior official at the Partnership for Public Service who has worked in the Government Accountability Office and the departments of Defense, Homeland Security and Veterans Affairs — will succeed outgoing president and CEO Terry Gerton.
Oversight
OMB needs to provide public details on its plan to finish federal programs inventory, GAO says
Under a revised deadline, OMB has until January 2025 to complete an inventory of federal programs. But the agency hasn’t provided a timeline to meet such a target.
Oversight
36% of new IRS hires faced delays due to technical and security clearance jams
Despite hiring 64% of its new employees in fiscal 2022 and 2023 within its 80-day goal, it took the IRS an average of 124 days to employ roughly 19,000 personnel due, in part, to system limitations.
Oversight
Senators debate how to minimize the security risks of federal contractors working with China
Some agencies have blown past deadlines to implement certain requirements that address conflicts of interest in contracting while lawmakers weighed additional guardrails.
Management
Agencies must disclose excess supply policies under bill headed for enactment
Under the legislation, which awaits the president’s signature, agencies must designate an official to identify potentially useful unused items like office equipment and furniture from across the federal government.
Pay & Benefits
Why do employees want to be feds? Benefits are a big reason
In a 2023 OPM survey, 90% or more of federal employees said that the availability of health and retirement benefits are important to them.
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Tech
Expedited STEM and cybersecurity hiring authority extended
OPM grants direct hire authority to agencies when there’s a lack of candidates or major hiring needs.
Oversight
Watchdog wants more transparency on DOD’s reprogramming of military pay funds
While GAO did not find that the realignment decreased military benefits, it did urge the Pentagon to provide more information on the funding to Congress.
Updated
Oversight
Federal employees can resolve EEO complaints without litigation. But is the alternative process fair?
The alternative dispute resolution process can reduce conflict, cost and delays through techniques like mediation.
Oversight
IRS workforce is more diverse than the national civilian labor force. So why is GAO criticizing the tax agency’s DEI programs?
A new GAO report found that women, employees from historically disadvantaged racial or ethnic groups and persons with disabilities were underrepresented in senior levels at the agency.
Pay & Benefits
Lack of guidelines scuttled VA’s goal to expand access for substance use disorder treatment
The department’s inspector general found that despite budgeting to hire more than 1,000 substance use disorder treatment staff at its medical centers, it only netted 310 new employees in the first year.
Management
Key debate takeaways for federal employees
Vice President Harris and former President Trump sparred over border security and Project 2025, among other things, on Tuesday night.
