FCW Insider: April 7
The latest news and analysis from FCW's reporters and editors.
HHS tech official warns feds, contractors on virtual meeting risks
As remote collaboration become the default, federal agencies are advising employees and users that video teleconferencing software, phone meetings and other tools are at increased risk. Derek B. Johnson explains.
AFGE head: Federal managers are exacerbating pandemic risks
In a recent interview, AFGE National President Everett Kelley said that some agencies have directed managers to exclude unions from key decisions involving employee safety. Lia Russell reports.
Supreme Court ruling makes it easier for older feds to sue for age discrimination
Federal employees 40 and above are entitled to process "untainted by age consideration." Lia has more.
What do narcissists do to team performance?
Steve Kelman shares suggestive new research -- and offers some ideas for how federal managers might act on it.
Quick Hits
*** A Federal Communications Commission proposal to open up 1,200 MHz of spectrum for next-generation unlicensed WiFi connections will be a boon to corporate and federal telecommuters in the new post-Coronavirus workplace, according to the Ajit Pai, the agency's chairman.
"This underscores the important of unlicensed spectrum. We had seen an uptick in WiFi use," said Pai in a discussion on an April 6 New America teleconference on the proposal. "We knew there was demand. We're living it at the FCC. We were one of the first agencies to telework" in response to work-at-home orders arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.
*** The House of Representatives will allow members to electronically submit bills, resolutions and other documents typically required to be presented by hand to staff. Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced the shift in an April 6 letter to colleagues.
*** Military personnel and families are being strongly encouraged by the secretary of defense to adopt Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance and wear cloth face coverings to inhibit the transmission of the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Secretary Mark Esper made the announcement in an April 5 memo, which also noted that personnel may be asked to remove coverings at security checks.