Workforce

Labor Authority Denies Union Request to Block Outside Groups from Seeking Policy Statements

The National Treasury Employees Union had sought to bar organizations that do not represent federal workers from asking the Federal Labor Relations Authority to change their policies.

Management

USPS Opens a New Line of Credit With Treasury

The Postal Service has grown its liquidity immensely, but is eligible to borrow up to an additional $5 billion.

Management

Coronavirus Roundup: Watchdog Slams Trump-Era ‘Project Airbridge’ For Medical Supplies

There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s a list of this week’s news updates and stories you may have missed.

Oversight

New U.S. House Weaponization Panel to Probe FBI, IRS, ATF

Chairman Jim Johnson called on whistleblowers from throughout federal government to come forward to share information with committee

Management

How do You Oversee Money That's Hard to Track?

The Project on Government Oversight's Dylan Hedtler-Gaudette joins the podcast to discuss how to minimize fraud in government spending.

Pay & Benefits

A Bill to Fix a Customs and Border Protection Retirement Snafu Is Revived in the Senate

More than 1,000 Customs and Border Protection officers were mistakenly promised enhanced retirement benefits, only to have them taken away once the agency realized its error.

Tech

Congress Told HHS to Set Up a Health Data Network in 2006. The Agency Still Hasn’t.

Since 2006, federal officials have been charged with setting up a network to let various parts of the U.S. health system share information during emergencies. It still hasn’t been built or even planned, even after the communication and data-sharing failures put on display during the pandemic.

Management

Federal Officials’ Plans for the Super Bowl Have Reached the End Zone

More than 600 Homeland Security personnel are providing support for this year's game.

Tech

IRS Names Advisors on Possible Government-Run Direct Filing System for Taxpayers

The IRS tapped New America to report on the feasibility of a free, public-facing IRS-hosted tax filing infrastructure for ordinary taxpayers.

Workforce

Want to Modernize? Make Sure You Hire People With Digital Skills

Cisco's Jeff Campbell joins the podcast to discuss the skills shortage holding back industry and government.

Nextgov

National Cyber Director to Retire Next Week

Chris Inglis will retire almost two years after beginning the job.

Management

3 Biden Officials Are Serving Unlawfully, a Watchdog Rules

GAO continues a standoff with the Biden administration over the rules of agency leaders serving in temporary capacities.

Management

Here’s What the End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Could Mean for Federal Agencies

The director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention asked Congress for more authority related to health data and the workforce.  

Pay & Benefits

Lawmakers Try Again to Standardize Cost of Living Raises for Federal Retirees

Federal employee groups have long decried the fact that retirees enrolled in the Federal Employees Retirement System receive lower annual annuity adjustments than their peers.

Workforce

VA Centers Talent Recruitment and Remote Work in Its Operations Revamp 

The agency’s chief people officer described efforts to attract high-skilled workers affected by layoffs across the tech sector and expand telework opportunities to modernize tech-centric operations.

Pay & Benefits

A Bipartisan Proposal to Give Feds 12 Weeks of Paid Family Leave Is Back

The bill would grant federal workers additional paid leave to deal with chronic health issues, a sick family member or in connection with a family member on active military duty.

Management

The Labor Secretary Is Set to Leave His Post for the NHL Players Union, Reports Say

The news comes as some House Republicans set their sights on oversight for fraud in pandemic-era benefits programs including enhanced unemployment insurance.

Workforce

She Grew up under Water Boil Advisories in Jackson. Now She’s Bringing Environmental Justice to the EPA.

In her community outreach role for the EPA, Rosemary Enobakhare is working to prioritize communities in need while “shining a light” on issues affecting them most.

Pay & Benefits

Don’t Overlook This Unloved Fund When Investing in the TSP

TSP participants can consider it another potential way to diversify a growth-oriented strategy.