People

Can better data improve federal hiring?

Alternative hiring assessments show promise for improving the yield of successful applicants from federal job postings.

Cybersecurity

DOD moves to centralize security clearance disputes

The Defense Department issued new policy for those who have had their clearances revoked.

People

TSP savers withdrew $2.9 billion under CARES Act

By the end of the program, almost 120,000 Thrift Savings Plan participants used CARES Act withdrawals.

People

USAF chief looks to combat extremism in the ranks

To create a better environment for all service members, Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., the Air Force's chief of staff said leadership will have to lay out "what our expectations are for those who are to be a part of our force."

People

House Dems call on AG nominee to protect immigration judges' union

The chairs of the Committee on Oversight and Reform and the Subcommittee on Government Operations are asking Merrick Garland to protect immigration judges ability to unionize, which was invalidated by a labor authority last year.

People

OMB lays out new COVID health and safety guidelines for feds

New safety protocols have the potential to remake physical workspaces to promote distancing during the pandemic.

People

Biden names senior OPM officials

The appointments come on the heels of executive orders in Biden's first days in office that started the rollback of much of the Trump administration's workforce policy.

People

Biden elevates DuBester to chair the FLRA

The quasi-judicial Federal Labor Relations Authority was involved in some of the most contentious wrangling between the Trump administration and federal employee unions.

People

Biden repeals Schedule F, rolls back Trump-era workforce policy

An executive order also called for feds and federal contractors to receive a $15 minimum wage.

Cybersecurity

Evanina resigns as counterintelligence chief

William Evanina, a career intelligence official, is stepping down from the post of director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center.

People

Austin tackles cyber and social policy in nomination hearing

Senators question defense secretary nominee about cyber and racism as several National Guardsmen removed from inauguration duty.

People

For feds, mask mandate, diversity training reversal on Day 1 of Biden presidency

President Joe Biden is expected to reverse a raft of Trump-era federal workforce policy, but some executive actions will take time.

People

OPM says federal employee job satisfaction is up

Full results of the delayed Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey won't be out until the spring, according to the Office of Personnel Management, but a preliminary look at topline results suggests federal employee job satisfaction is improving.

Cybersecurity

Haines looks to restore IC workforce morale

If confirmed, Avril Haines says that one of her top priorities as the Director of National Intelligence will be "institutional" issues, like renewing public trust in the intelligence community and improving workforce morale.

People

Biden-Harris team taps DDM, OSTP director

Biden's Cabinet will be the first to include a "Presidential Science Advisor," Dr. Eric Lander, who Biden nominated to serve as OSTP director.

People

Bipartisan House bill would block Schedule F conversions

The bill is the latest of several legislative attempts to block an executive order that could remake parts of the civil service into at-will employees.

Cybersecurity

OPM urges D.C.-area feds to telework through inauguration week

The move comes as downtown Washington, D.C. is being transformed into a high security zone for the inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.

Acquisition

Labor Dept. official says religious exemption for some contractors won't allow discrimination

Civil rights groups caution that the rule change that allows faith-based organizations that are also federal contractors to favor their members in hiring could lead to employment discrimination.

Acquisition

DOD does away with diversity training modification for contractors

The Pentagon eliminated a class deviation that implemented the president's executive order purging diversity training across federal grants and contracts.