People

Social Security workers to return to offices possibly by the end of March

The Social Security Administration reached agreements with all of its unions on reentry that unions hope will lead to a more collaborative relationship moving forward.

People

Deputy CIO Maria Roat to retire in March

Roat has been in senior government technology management roles for over 15 years and her government career, including military service, has spanned over 40 years.

People

Congress losing a heavy hitter on cybersecurity

Rep. Jim Langevin, co-chair and founder of the House Cybersecurity Caucus, will not seek re-election.

People

Former DHS acting IG pleads guilty in software scheme

A former acting top watchdog at the Department of Homeland Security pleaded guilty in a scheme to steal case management software from multiple federal agencies in order to create a new system to sell back to the government.

People

Ferriero to retire from National Archives

Archivist of the United States David Ferriero is retiring from his post in April after 12 years in the position.

People

Hill proposal would give feds a 5.1% average pay raise in 2023

A bill from Democratic lawmakers would provide federal workers with a 4.1% across-the-board boost, along with an average 1% increase in locality pay.

People

DHS launches new program to recruit, train climate professionals

The program, designed to recruit recent graduates as well as current federal employees, is one of the department's efforts meant to focus DHS on adapting to climate change.

People

Agencies must establish COVID-19 testing programs for certain unvaccinated feds and contractors by Feb. 15

Task force issues new guidance on coronavirus testing for those who report to federal facilities or otherwise interact with the public.

People

MSPB passes five-year mark without a quorum

Without a quorum on the Merit Systems Protection Board, the board is unable to issue decisions for appeals, leaving thousands in limbo and a critical part of the civil service system non-functional.

People

OPM prods agencies to name chief diversity officers

The Office of Personnel Management followed up on an executive order on diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in a letter released Monday on chief diversity officers. OPM is establishing a forum for these officials, it says.

People

A ‘friend from the city’ making her mark on government contracting

Steve Kelman reports on a new addition to the cohort of non-traditional government contractors.

People

Report: 45% of all federal employees teleworked in fiscal 2020

The Office of Personnel Management’s latest annual telework report captures the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

People

Appeals court deals another blow to Biden's contractor vaccine mandate

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit said in a Wednesday decision that Biden's mandate likely goes beyond authority given in the Procurement Act and denied the administration's request that an injunction in three states be lifted.

People

OPM disputes 2021 court ruling on firing feds for poor performance

Comments from the Office of Personnel Management in a recent rulemaking could change how agencies approach performance improvement plans and termination for cause.

People

Note to managers: A little recognition goes a long way

Steve Kelman shares research on the impact a simple thank-you note can have with the workforce.

People

The Pentagon shifts to maximum telework as omicron surges

The Pentagon is urging personnel to use maximum telework as coronavirus infections spike in the Washington, D.C. region.

People

SCOTUS stays out of contractor mandate case, for now

A special expedited hearing on the authority of two federal agencies to issue nationwide vaccine mandates covering nearly 100 million Americans does not touch on the authority to modify federal contracts to require vaccines for contract employees.

People

Deadline extended for Federal 100 nominations!

You now have until Tuesday, Jan. 11, to get them in. Happy holidays!

Exclusive People

Army Creates Single Vaccine Against All COVID & SARS Variants, Researchers Say

Within weeks, Walter Reed researchers expect to announce that human trials show success against Omicron—and even future strains.