People
Pentagon project seeks to streamline human-resource process
Defense Department officials are testing a new project on hiring and managing employees to change the process-oriented structure of personnel management.
People
Federal HR skills may not be sufficient to tackle reforms
A new report indicates that top human capital officials believe many federal human resource professionals might not have the skills necessary for improving the way the government hires, motivates and keeps employees.
People
Lawmaker seeks hearing over proposed Joint Forces Command closing
Congressional pressure continues to build over Defense Secretary Robert Gates' plan to close the U.S. Joint Forces Command, headquartered in Norfolk, Va., which employs about 6,000.
People
How not to recruit potential employees and influence people
Cartoonist John Klossner says federal recruiters might not want prospective employees to check out the reader comments at FCW.com
People
Unions fire back at Gates for insourcing about-face
The American Federation of Government Employees wants answers from Defense Secretary Robert Gates on how his plans to save DOD money will affect insourcing efforts and federal employees.
People
4 reasons why federal managers resist telework
In response to a recent blog post, federal managers explain why they would rather not allow employees to work from home.
People
Senate bill would 'cap and trade' to cut federal employees
A Senate measure would require agencies to cap the number of full-time employees and then begin reducing those numbers.
People
Contractors vs. staff: You do the math
The latest phase of the debate about the role of contractors in government shows that even the obvious is less obvious than it seems.
People
The 3 most common complaints about federal managers
Without a doubt, the most common complaint we hear from federal employees is that some federal managers are falling down on the job, writes the FCW Insider.
People
Making telework happen: It's up to managers now
Management resistance to telework is rational and born of experience, but it need not be a permanent obstacle, writes Patricia Niehaus, president of the Federal Managers Association.
People
6 keys to building a culture of innovation
It takes much more than tools to develop a culture of innovation, especially in the government, writes Dwayne Spradlin, CEO of InnoCentive.
Modernization
Industry retirees leave mainframe computers behind
Old mainframe computers stay at a company longer than the employees who know how to run them, according to a news report.
People
Should being a fed be a round-the-clock job?
Federal employees might take off their badges when they get home, but they never stop being federal employees, even on Facebook, one reader writes.
People
Senate committee approves acquisition institute bill
The legislation would reorganize the Federal Acquisition Institute as it trains civilian agencies' contracting staff members.
People
Obama orders agencies to increase hiring of disabled into federal workforce
Reviving a Clinton-era hiring goal, President Obama on July 26 signed an executive order instructing federal agencies to increase employment of people with disabilities by adding 100,000 disabled employees over the next five years.
People
Leadership qualities are most important in federal manager hiring: report
Agencies hire too many front-line managers based on their technical skills but should instead focus on promoting those with good leaderships skills who can motivate the employees they supervise, according to the federal Merit System Protection Board.
Cybersecurity
Cyber talent hunt: the search starts at home
Before agencies can hire the cybersecurity professionals they need, they should make it easier for people to understand what they’re looking for.
People
Recommended reading
Innovation is overrated; better security through encryption; executives are the weakest link.
People
Watchdogs keep an eye on federal pay, bonuses
The Heritage Foundation and other groups wonder why the federal government puts up with so many highly educated employees.
People