Workforce

The future of the intelligence workforce will center on STEM, diversity and flexibility, experts say

Experts also agreed that the national security workforce will place greater emphasis on DEI efforts and facilitating transitions between federal agencies and private business.

Management

Maui wildfire recovery effectively paused without additional funds

Witnesses at a congressional hearing last week touted the federal government’s response to last year’s disaster but said long-term recovery is in jeopardy.

News

These are the 2024 winners of the ‘Oscars’ of government service

A team of Labor Department employees who discovered that teenagers were being used to work on dangerous machinery in slaughterhouses across the country won the award for federal employee of the year.

Oversight

Navy secretary violated the Hatch Act, OSC finds

The Office of Special Counsel also determined Education Secretary Miguel Cardona did not break the Hatch Act and concluded that federal employee activity related to Project 2025 is not prohibited under the law.

Oversight

The Postal Service achieved most of its peak season goals in 2023, so why did performance slide?

The USPS inspector general found that despite accurately forecasting air demand and adequately staffing for its busiest period, the agency still saw some on-time delivery and inventory delays.

Oversight

IRS is behind on Biden policy to not increase audits for households under $400K

TIGTA reports that the IRS has not developed a methodology to comply with a 2022 directive that bars IRA funding from being used to increase audits on households earning $400,000 or less annually.

Oversight

Republicans criticize EEOC over nixed one-day furlough

The agency said that no additional funding and a high pay increase for federal employees helped create its budget shortfall, but GOP leaders called it a failure to adjust spending.

Oversight

GAO wants new Secret Service training plan after Trump assassination attempt

The watchdog recommended the agency implement new training goals for agents in the Presidential Protective Division after a gunman attempted to assassinate Donald Trump in July.

Management

Both Harris and Trump are historically behind on presidential transition planning

GSA is beginning to provide office space and information technology support to the candidates, who have both just recently named the heads of their transition teams.

Oversight

Military does not collect comprehensive data on its job program for departing service members

The SkillBridge program allows service members who are transitioning to civilian life within 180 days to participate in job and employment training.

Pay & Benefits

Senator says rule to stem Head Start employee turnover could bar children from early education

The HHS rule would require wage and benefit increases for Head Start staff, but Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., claimed the proposed changes would reduce funded, if vacant, slots in the education program.

Oversight

Republicans ask for an update on Havana syndrome treatment

GAO recently issued a report that found many federal employee patients experienced challenges accessing care.

Workforce

Americans mostly like federal agencies, but there’s a partisan gap

A research nonprofit found that Republicans surveyed were more likely to have more negative views of several agencies than in the past.

Oversight

Watchdog urges OMB to prioritize implementation of anti-fraud recommendations

GAO updated the budget agency on the 172 recommendations that it has not completed.

Management

EEOC averts the threat of a one-day furlough

Chair Charlotte Burrows said in a statement that the agency found enough savings to avoid furloughing employees on Aug. 30.

Management

Several House Democrats urge USPS to implement heat safety protections for workers

The Biden administration in July issued a proposed rule to protect employees working in extreme heat, but more than 70 members of Congress want the USPS to implement those protections before the rule goes into effect.

Workforce

VIDEO: Hatch Act rules for federal employees, explained

The Hatch Act restricts the political activities of federal workers.

Oversight

National Park Service’s IRA hiring surge could fail ahead of funding deadline

While the legislation gave hundreds of millions to NPS for hiring, it didn’t grant new hiring flexibilities, which the Interior Department inspector general reports is hampering progress.

Workforce

‘Bee doctors’ work to prevent colony collapse nets public service award

The work of two scientists from the Agriculture Department’s Agricultural Research Service to find new methods to diagnose and treat pathogens affecting bee health helped earn them the Service to America’s People’s Choice Award