People

Interior IG: USGS director retaliated against whistleblower

A watchdog report alleges that an "impermissible, retaliatory motive" was behind the reassignment of a whistleblower at the U.S. Geological Survey.

People

House Dems press OPM to block Trump's civil service overhaul

More than 30 House Democrats are calling for an immediate halt to the implementation of President Trump recent executive order to reclassify elements of the civil service as at-will employees.

People

New House bill aims to halt Trump's civil service revamp

The Saving the Civil Service Act would block last week's executive order creating new classification of career federal employees in certain key roles and reverse any personnel moves made as a result of the order.

People

OPM directs agencies on civil service overhaul

A memo from acting personnel chief Michael Rigas told agencies they could look outside the boundaries of a recent executive order for jobs to reclassify, but that the Office of Personnel Management would make final determination.

People

House Dems mull response Trump's order to remake the civil service

The presidential election is one obvious check on the recent executive order to reclassify many federal civil servants as at-will employees, but congressional Democrats are looking at other ways to block the new policy.

People

White House plans to fast-track restrictions on contractor diversity training

The fast-track deviation clause, designed to support the Nov. 21 rollout of new restrictions on diversity and inclusion training for federal agencies and contractors, is expected to be followed quickly by a Federal Acquisition Regulation rulemaking case.

People

Trump order creates Schedule F, to speed hiring and firing in key positions

The Oct. 21 executive order looks to reshape the competitive service by allowing agencies to reclassify policy jobs under a new schedule and give senior managers greater flexibility in hiring candidates and firing employees.

People

GSA unveils first NewPay service

The General Services Administration is talking with federal agency users to further develop its NewPay shared service offering rolled out in September.

People

House bill looks to boost COLA for Social Security recipients, federal retirees

The bill uses a different cost-of-living adjustment index to bring the adjustment to 3%.

People

An extraordinary public servant, now a little the worse for wear

Steve Kelman checks in with longtime VA leader Ed Meagher, who was recently honored for a lifetime of citizen service.

People

Feds to see average 4.9% hike in health premiums in 2021

The coronavirus pandemic was a driver in keeping premium hikes lower than otherwise would have been the case, according to an OPM official.

People

Army tests out augmented reality with training

As social distancing becomes the norm, the Army increasingly looks to virtual training.

People

DHS closes in on new compensation rules for cyber talent

An emerging cyber talent hiring system at DHS awaits new payroll rules, said the agency's top IT officials.

People

D.C.-area lawmakers slam 'out of control' COVID outbreak at White House

National Capital Region members of Congress want administration officials to get control of the coronavirus transmissions at the White House complex that is putting residence staff, Secret Service agents, staffers and reporters at risk.

People

Pandemic continues to take a toll on public sector employment

State and local government payrolls shed 182,000 jobs in September, according to the most recent jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

People

Here we go again: 'diversity training' and government contractors

Steve Kelman takes issue with using the government's purchasing power to push unrelated political goals.

People

New federal CIO, CISO on tap

The White House is planning to name two officials to senior tech posts with a possible change of administration looming.

People

White House offers details on diversity training crackdown

Diversity training that teaches federal employees about "unconscious bias" or "systemic racism" or "intersectionality" are being banned under a new White House policy.

People

Federal court ruling sidelines acting head of Bureau of Land Management

A federal district court ruled Sept. 25 that Pendley's appointment as acting director of BLM was unlawful under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act.

People

Cancel culture: Tales from the U.S. and China

Steve Kelman looks at how a tale of cancel culture in the U.S. was misunderstood in China.