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.

People

Nearly 50% of Pentagon workers still teleworking

Safety protocols would allow up to 80% on-site, but there's no rush to recall remote employees.

People

Details on federal hiring changes expected this week

Draft guidelines will detail how agencies will remove college-degree requirements and emphasize skill assessments.

People

Tax deferral plan steams ahead

Despite opposition in Congress and skepticism from employee unions, the administration is going ahead with a mandatory tax deferral scheme for federal employees and the uniformed military.

People

Delivering outcomes, building trust

Few things will derail a project as fast as a lack of focus on mission outcomes and maintaining trust.

People

OPM plans to field employee survey next week

The long-delayed Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey will kick off on Sept. 14.

People

Don't expect finished defense bill soon, Thornberry says

Rep. Mac Thornberry, the House Armed Services Committee's ranking member, said the November elections could hold up negotiations over key provisions in the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act.

People

Senators push to make payroll tax deferral optional for feds, service members

Lawmakers are concerned about potential consequences of a mandatory tax deferral being rolled out by the Trump administration.