Workforce
State Dept. employees praise Biden administration for encouraging dissent
The administration has faced some criticism for censoring employee speech related to the Israel-Gaza conflict, but staff say internal channels are open for disagreement.
Management
California wins big as Biden administration doubles down on high-speed rail
The Golden State will benefit from $6 billion in new grants to provide connections in the Central Valley and between the Los Angeles suburbs and Las Vegas. An East Coast route is getting big money too.
Workforce
Looking for tech talent? Broaden your search, IC chief says
The nation’s 18 intelligence agencies should look beyond the nation’s capital if they want to get and keep the best cyber workers, said Adele Merritt.
Pay & Benefits
OPM retirement backlog hits six-year low for third time this year
The number of pending federal employee retirement claims fell under 16,000 for the second time since 2017 in November.
Management
Biden administration boasts it’s including more public input into agency rulemaking
Agencies hope to solicit more perspectives and boost trust in government.
Pay & Benefits
TSP and the magic of compound interest
A few things to consider when deciding if you should contribute to the Thrift Savings Plan.
Oversight
Social Security clawbacks hit a million more people than the agency chief told Congress
At issue is the scope of a problem that has terrified many Social Security beneficiaries and plunged them into financial distress.
Management
20 federal agencies miss the deadline for implementing cyber incident tracking requirements, watchdog says
The Government Accountability Office found that just three federal agencies were in compliance with the Office of Management and Budget’s advanced cyber event logging requirements.
Tech
Hackers exploited out-of-support software to scan federal systems, CISA says
The cyber agency is once again asking agencies to update their software.
Workforce
Biden, Democrats push for DHS hiring spree despite failed supplemental vote
Republicans block measure with aid to Ukraine and Israel, as well as billions of dollars for massive DHS hiring.
Workforce
Bipartisan bill would let VA medical employees grieve compensation mistakes
Unlike most federal workers, medical professionals at the Veterans Affairs Department are unable to negotiate over compensation adjustments like payroll errors.
Management
House Oversight members take aim at former GSA official in request for FBI headquarters investigation
Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., and member Gerry Connolly, D-Va., called on the General Services Administration’s acting inspector general to investigate potential political influence in the agency’s decision to select Greenbelt, Md., for the FBI’s main office.
Workforce
VA is putting veterans at risk by improperly screening employees, watchdogs warn
The department does not have a good explanation for why the shortfalls occurred, officials say.
Management
VA creates new monitoring system after glitch affects more than 120,000 veterans’ claims
Officials from the Department of Veterans Affairs said they’re creating a new system to notify officials “within 24 hours” of any issues affecting electronically filed claims.
Pay & Benefits
Public-sector workers report taking fewer and fewer vacation days
Not being able to unplug from work leads to burnout and poor performance, one expert reminds us.
Workforce
A new rule may help land management temps get permanent federal gigs
The Office of Personnel Management is set to publish final regulations establishing a pathway for current and former temporary workers at land management agencies to apply for permanent posts through merit promotions procedures.
Management
Mail delays spike during USPS' busiest season
The Postal Service is delivering mail on time at its lowest rate since mid-2021.
Management
Students and advocates ‘frustrated’ with the Biden administration’s slow response to finalize Title IX changes
House Democrats have urged the Education Department to act on policy protections for LGBTQ+ students and student sexual assault survivors.
Tech
Could the feds withhold broadband funding to some states?
Several states appear unwilling to change laws on their books that are at odds with a requirement in the 2021 infrastructure law.
Defense