People

Hiring reforms beginning to spread through agencies

In a memo to chief human capital officers, OPM Director John Berry detailed last month’s executive order on the consolidation of student and recent graduate programs into a new Pathways Programs framework.

Digital Government

The three Rs

The powers that be are proposing rules that would require agencies to keep a closer (and more critical) eye on the incentives paid out for the “3Rs”—recruitment, relocation and retention.

People

Pay freeze won't stop all increases

The two year federal employee pay freeze won't affect several kinds of pay increases, the Office of Personnel Management says.

People

White House steps up federal recruiting efforts

The Obama administration will start programs to establish clear paths for the recruitment and hiring of students and recent graduates for entry-level federal jobs.

People

Obama issues pay freeze order

President Barack Obama issued an executive order late Dec. 22 to carry out the two-year federal employee pay freeze that was signed into law that day.

Digital Government

Yes, it’s called the Office of Work/Life/Wellness

The Government Accountability Office on Dec. 16 released a study on the effectiveness of OPM’s Office of Work/Life/Wellness.

Digital Government

Prepare to hunker down in 2011

Those who represent federal employees (both union types and lawmakers) squeezed a lot of solid gains for feds from this outgoing Congress, especially in terms of improvements to retirement benefits, and—depending on your point of view—the demise of the National Security Personnel System.

Digital Government

All Clear on Security Clearances?

ccording to testimony presented this week before the Senate federal workforce subcommitee, there’s been a lot of headway made in trimming the time it takes to process a security clearance.

People

Agencies hiring more veterans, but progress is slow

Agencies are making progress in meeting the goals of an executive order issued by President Obama last November to encourage the hiring of vets into federal jobs.

Digital Government

Looking for the door ...

The Office of Personnel Management announced this week that it is going to beef up its staff to try to get federal retirees’ claims through the system faster.

Digital Government

About that average 7.2 percent premium increase …

Well, now that the news on FEHBP health insurance premium increases has settled in—we’ve gotten some emails taking issue with the OPM statement that the average employee share of those premiums will go up 7.2 percent.

People

OPM not doing enough to protect privacy on background checks, GAO says

The Office of Personnel Management handles about 2 million background checks a year, but it needs to do more to ensure that privacy is protected, GAO says.

Digital Government

Are the new FEHBP rates onerous?

Well, OPM has posted the new Federal Employees Health Benefits Program premium rates—and reaction is mixed.

Digital Government

Are you a healthy fed?

If you are like a lot of American workers, you spend a lot of time behind a desk. That means that for eight hours a day, your primary source of exercise may well be walking to the copier or coffee machine.

Digital Government

If you didn't get that federal job, read this ...

Folks who have not landed federal jobs they've been after will not be surprised to hear that a report released yesterday by the Partnership for Public Service reveals that the "weakest link" in the federal hiring chain is the assessment of job applicants.

Digital Government

What incentives would you like your agency to offer?

The Office of Personnel Management says that the number of feds participating in the federal student loan repayment program has jumped in recent years—23 percent in 2009 alone.

Digital Government

Obama Orders Second Try at Bringing More Disabled into Federal Workforce

President Obama hopes to succeed where President Clinton failed, and reinvigorate a 10-year-old plan to bring 100,000 disabled workers into the federal workforce.

People

More feds may telework, House says

Teleworkers of the world rejoice! House lawmakers have passed a bill to expand the number of federal employees eligible to telework.

Digital Government

Are qualified feds being denied teleworking opportunities?

The Office of Personnel Management has made it a point to voice strong support for telework. And Congress is working on passing legislation that will make it easier to do.

Digital Government

Most feds happy with their jobs, survey says

Federal workers continue to be generally happy with their jobs and feel their work is important, according to the latest Office of Personnel Management survey of federal workplace satisfaction released July 12.