Policy

Biden Asks OSHA to Consider COVID-19 Workplace Safety Rules

A national order from OSHA would bring all states under the same rules, since even states with independent agencies must meet or exceed the federal standard.

Digital Government

White House Directs Agencies to Revise Their Pandemic Plans

The “paramount concern is the health and safety of all federal employees, on-site contractors, and individuals interacting with the federal workforce,” OMB said. 

Digital Government

Biden Aims for Federal Contractors to Pay a $15 Minimum Wage

He directed his administration to work on an executive order within his first 100 days. 

Digital Government

Dashboard Offers Data on Agency Hiring Processes and Lack of Objective Assessments

Federal hiring managers are asking applicants whether they’re qualified for open positions but aren’t getting hard data to back that up.

Digital Government

Lawmakers Propose 3.2% Raise for Feds in 2022

Democrats in both chambers of Congress have reintroduced legislation to boost basic pay by 2.2% across the board next year, along with an average 1% increase in locality pay.

Digital Government

Biden Issues Sweeping Ethics Plan for Appointees

Hours before departing the White House, former President Trump revoked his own ethics pledge, allowing current and former Trump appointees to immediately become lobbyists.

Digital Government

Smithsonian Seeks Lead for Broad Swath of Digital Transformation Efforts

The position is based out of the Washington, D.C. headquarters but is open for applicants teleworking from anywhere in the U.S.

Digital Government

OPM Failed to Issue Guidance for D.C. Federal Workers During Insurrection

There was substantial warning ahead of the arrival of the group that violently stormed the U.S. Capitol seeking to overturn the results of the presidential election.

Digital Government

Federal Agencies Have Distributed 200K Coronavirus Vaccine Doses So Far

Four agencies have provided the shots from their own distributions, but this only represents a fraction of the doses the agencies received.

Ideas

6 Lessons From 2020 Federal Leaders Should Apply in the Months to Come

As the embers of the dumpster fire that was 2020 burn away, important lessons provide light for the way forward in 2021.

Ideas

How to Solve Inefficient Meetings Through Existing Technology

Even small process improvements can make internal staff meetings run better. 

Artificial Intelligence

Critical Update: Why Having Artificial Intelligence Talent is a National Security Issue

Dr. José-Marie Griffiths discusses her work crafting workforce recommendations for Congress as part of her work with the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence.

Modernization

Veterans Affairs Publishes Employee Experience Journey Map

Agency officials believe positive employee experiences translate to improved service delivery to its veterans.

Policy

Spending Agreement Would Allow 1% Pay Raise, Fails to Ban Schedule F

Provision in the fiscal 2021 omnibus appropriations bill would give feds until the end of next year to repay payroll taxes deferred by the Trump administration from September through December.

Digital Government

VA to Begin COVID-19 Vaccinations at 128 More Sites 

The Veterans Affairs Secretary said the approval of a second vaccine allows the department to inoculate more health care providers and veterans.

Digital Government

OPM Proposes Prioritizing Job Performance Over Tenure in Layoffs

Officials at the Office of Personnel Management are seeking to finalize a provision of President Trump’s controversial workforce executive orders before he leaves office.