Oversight
Veterans Affairs whistleblowers may not be getting settlement benefits due to a lack of oversight, watchdog reports
The Government Accountability Office warned that VA needs to do a better job of tracking whistleblower settlement agreements.
Workforce
Senate panel advances bills to protect whistleblowers, fix CBP workers’ retirement benefits
More than 1,300 CBP officers spent more than a decade contributing toward their retirement annuities for which they were not eligible, due to a mistake the agency made in 2008.
Workforce
Government layoffs are making us less safe in cyberspace, experts fear
There’s been a mass exodus of government cyber expertise during the Trump administration.
Workforce
USDA says reorg disfavors layoffs, predicts most employees will accept relocations
A significant percent more than a majority will come" to new locations, Agriculture Department official says.
Oversight
OSC recognizes federal mine safety employees who blew the whistle about skipped inspections
The award comes as watchdog organizations have warned that Trump’s nominee to lead the Office of Special Counsel, the agency that protects government whistleblowers, could weaken oversight.
Pay & Benefits
How to avoid Medicare Part B late enrollment penalties
Planning to retire soon? Here’s what to know about timing your Medicare enrollment to steer clear of costly penalties.
Workforce
New lawsuit scrutinizes Hegseth’s implementation of Trump’s anti-union EO
While previous lawsuits argued simply that President Trump’s citation of the 1978 Civil Service Reform Act’s so-called “national security exemption” en masse violated federal regulatory law, a new suit from IFPTE drills down on the Defense secretary’s implementation of the controversial edict.
Management
DOGE and other day 1 Trump appointees head for the exits at multiple agencies
The Interior Department and General Services Administration are seeing significant turnover in the leadership ranks.
Oversight
2 independent watchdogs quietly replaced by Trump
The former acting Education inspector general had accused administration officials of stonewalling an investigation, and the ex-acting Commerce IG was removed from that position for a second time.
Management
NSF slashes most career executive roles after shedding one-third of staff
The National Science Foundation is initiating a reduction in force for senior executives, but offering them opportunities to stay at the agency.
Tech
GSA announces centralized travel service ‘GO.Gov’
Go.Gov will replace individual agency travel management systems and act as a shared service across the government.
Tech
Trump’s order to remove ‘woke’ AI from government may have ‘downstream impacts,’ experts worry
Some experts and advocates warned that last week's executive order will have a chilling effect on free speech.
Management
‘Bounce-back emails and no-replies’: IRS and Social Security workforce reductions are hurting constituent service, House Democrats argue
IRS has shrunk by 25%, mostly through voluntary separation incentives, while the Social Security Administration plans to shed 7,000 employees this fiscal year.
Workforce
California lawmakers urge Trump admin to halt cuts to national labs
Sens. Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla, along with Rep. Zoe Lofgren, said budget cuts to national laboratories have already led to layoffs, with some other labs warning that “they may need to start laying off thousands of scientists and technical staff in the near future.”
Workforce
Trump administration reminds federal employees they can proselytize in the office
Supervisors can solicit employees to attend their church, OPM says in new guidance.
Workforce
Secretary Rollins’ reorganization of USDA will weaken the delivery of programs to farmers, ranchers and rural communities
COMMENTARY | USDA's proposed reorganization will make the department's work more challenging, with a "accomplish less with less" approach, says former official.
Pay & Benefits
Bipartisan Senate bill would boost pay, alleviate grueling schedule for federal firefighters
New legislation would shorten federal firefighters’ work week from 72 hours to 60 and would ensure their overtime work is properly compensated via the Federal Employees Retirement System.
Workforce
Trump wants to reverse the staffing cuts he's overseen for IRS customer service. House Republicans disagree.
The Trump administration is warning of dire consequences if it cannot reverse the tax agency's recent staffing exodus.
Workforce
Census is planning on hiring fewer temporary workers for the 2030 count, watchdog reports
An official from the nonprofit Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights said the smaller workforce, among other proposed changes, could contribute to undercounts of certain groups.
Workforce