People

OPM loosens purse strings on recruitment, retention and relocation

New policy allows agencies to ask for waiver of 25% incentive and retention caps in COVID-19 response.

People

Oversight Dems want answers from GSA on OPM facilities move

Democrats on the House Oversight Committee are complaining that the Trump administration is continuing to advance the proposed merger of the Office of Personnel Management into the General Services Administration despite language in recent legislation requiring a pause on the effort.

People

FLRA ruling changes union withholding rules

In a blow to federal unions, the Federal Labor Relations Authority ruled on Feb. 14 that federal workers could stop paying union dues at any time, instead of observing the current practice of letting employees elect to withhold dues once a year.

People

Lawmakers hope to extend paid parental leave beyond Title 5

A new bill would update federal workforce law to allow more employees to take advantage of a paid parental leave benefit.

People

White House floats 1% pay raise for civilian feds in 2021 budget

Democrats in Congress and federal employee unions are pushing legislation for a 3.5% pay hike.

People

OPM preps guidance about Wuhan coronavirus

Despite current low risk of contraction, OPM encourages feds to use good hygiene and use workplace flexibilities where needed

People

OPM publishes database of union agreements

The database publication, required under an executive order, is being touted as supporting workforce transparency and accountability.

People

OPM pushes plan to fast-track hires of former feds

Under a new rule proposed by the Office of Personnel Management, agencies would be able to offer reinstatement and higher pay grades to former federal employees who are looking to return to government after acquiring new skills.

People

Report: Agency upheaval spark big dips in job satisfaction

Employee unhappiness with labor disputes and agency reclocations are showing up in the "Best Place to Work in Federal Government" report for 2019

People

Lawmakers address federal pay inequities

The Locality Pay Equity Act would get rid of discrepancies in policies between General Schedule and Federal Wage System workers

People

NDAA blocks OPM-GSA merger

The Trump administration's plan to merge the Office of Personnel Management with the General Services Administration is going to have to wait another year, if a provision included in the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act is passed into law.

Digital Government

Agencies plan for developing data science talent

The Data Science Training Pilot gives agencies a chance to see the benefits of data science projects while reskilling employees.

People

New guidelines for hiring military spouses due by year's end

New provisions eliminate geographic restrictions, a two-year eligibility requirement and occupational licensing rules that often left military spouses in low-paying jobs for which they were overqualified.

People

2019 FEVS reports on shutdown

Despite furloughs and no pay, agencies reported being well supported.

People

OPM orders agencies to report 'official time' data

With workforce executive orders in effect, the Office of Personnel Management is looking for data on how much job time federal employees spend on union matters.

People

OPM offers a 'second chance' at federal employment

The Second Chance Act aims to help lower barriers for otherwise eligible federal employment applicants with criminal records.

People

OPM's new guide to reading employee viewpoint data

A new toolkit from the Office of Personnel Management focuses on using data to understand and improve employee-manager relations.

People

OPM urges agencies to rethink employee discipline

In a new guidance, the Office of Personnel Management offers details on implementing a planned rule on federal employee discipline.