People
OPM disputes 2021 court ruling on firing feds for poor performance
Comments from the Office of Personnel Management in a recent rulemaking could change how agencies approach performance improvement plans and termination for cause.
People
Note to managers: A little recognition goes a long way
Steve Kelman shares research on the impact a simple thank-you note can have with the workforce.
People
The Pentagon shifts to maximum telework as omicron surges
The Pentagon is urging personnel to use maximum telework as coronavirus infections spike in the Washington, D.C. region.
People
SCOTUS stays out of contractor mandate case, for now
A special expedited hearing on the authority of two federal agencies to issue nationwide vaccine mandates covering nearly 100 million Americans does not touch on the authority to modify federal contracts to require vaccines for contract employees.
People
Deadline extended for Federal 100 nominations!
You now have until Tuesday, Jan. 11, to get them in. Happy holidays!
Exclusive
People
Army Creates Single Vaccine Against All COVID & SARS Variants, Researchers Say
Within weeks, Walter Reed researchers expect to announce that human trials show success against Omicron—and even future strains.
People
Bill to train acquisition workforce on AI clears Senate
The bill will help the U.S. stay afloat in global competition on artificial intelligence, its sponsors on the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee say.
People
NDAA requires DOD to report on prospects for a ‘cyber academy’
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) says these reports could inform potential legislation to establish an academy to educate cyber workers for government modeled after military service academies.
People
Fed 100 nominations: Time is running out
Nominations are due by Dec. 24 -- submit yours today!
People
What’s next for security clearance reform?
Expect new milestones from the DOD’s governmentwide vetting IT and new policies on vetting criteria in 2022.
People
Top House Republican pushes back on government telework
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) isn’t the only Republican lawmaker asking questions about the productivity of teleworking federal employees.
People
Vaccination rates tick up slightly among federal employees
The number of vaccinated feds has increased, although there are still thousands of pending exception and extension requests to the mandate.
People
The Biden war on administrative burdens
Steven Kelman calls attention to new efforts to reduce red tape.
People
NDAA requires new job data, software job series
The House-passed compromise NDAA also has other workforce provisions, including a change to the probationary period for civilian feds at DOD and paid parental bereavement leave for federal employees.
People
Ahuja tees up 2022 plans for OPM
The Office of Personnel Management has a long list of priorities as it rebuilds itself and rolls out policies to implement the Biden-Harris agenda.
People
White House presses for improved agency-IG cooperation
The White House has called for increased collaboration between federal agencies and inspectors general after conducting a review which revealed some agency leaders had not fully communicated their endorsement of IG policies and whistleblower protections to staff.
People
Creating greater opportunity for women in digital services
The government can use its purchasing power to grow contracting opportunities for women-owned businesses.
People
USDA finalizes more expansive telework, remote work policies
The new policy reverses telework restrictions put in place during the Trump administration before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
People