Oversight
Former DHS employees sentenced for plot to steal government software, databases
The trio wanted to to build a commercial software product that would have been sold to government agencies.
Pay & Benefits
OPM: Federal salaries won't be tied to private sector pay histories
Agencies can’t use non-federal salaries to help set pay for new or returning federal employees, under a new rule from the Office of Personnel Management.
Management
As summers grow ever hotter, OSHA appears ready to protect workers
A new rule from the Occupational Health and Safety Administration could for the first time provide federal protection to heat exposure and require companies to invest in employees’ well-being during the hottest parts of the year. Many in the construction and agriculture industries are opposed, but new research shows it would help them, too.
Management
Senators demand that the Justice Department halt funding to predictive policing programs
Investigations have shown how a predictive policing algorithm was both discriminatory and inaccurate.
Tech
DISA pilots 'concierge AI' to help staffers
The agency is undertaking some early proof of concept initiatives, including a “concierge AI” tool, to see how emerging technologies can support its workforce.
Management
Archives clear pandemic-era backlog of veterans records requests
A combination of increased staffing and work hours, along with technological advances, allowed the National Personnel Records Center to dig out of backlog of more than 600,000 overdue records requests that accumulated due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Oversight
House Democrats pen fiery letter to embattled DHS inspector general demanding documents
The ranking members of the House Committees on Oversight and Accountability and Homeland Security demanded documents from the DHS IG related to a court settlement with a former deputy inspector general after repeated requests remained unfulfilled.
Oversight
NSA illegally purchases Americans’ internet data without a warrant, senator says
The NSA’s purchases of commercial metadata without a court order — revealed in documents exchanged with Sen. Ron Wyden — violate consumer protection laws, the Oregon Democrat claims.
Management
Agencies would see sped up transition timelines and more resources for career officials under bipartisan bill
The Senate measure would mark the latest in a series of updates to make presidential transitions more orderly and efficient.
Tech
IRS gears up to launch Direct File pilot
The pilot will only be available on a limited basis to certain taxpayers.
Pay & Benefits
GAO: 4% of feds used paid parental leave in the benefit’s first 22 months
In 2022, 81% of federal workers who responded to an annual Office of Personnel Management survey and said they used the then-newly implemented program said they took all 12 weeks of paid parental leave.
Pay & Benefits
Trans veterans were promised access to gender-affirming surgeries — but it never happened
The Transgender American Veterans Association filed a lawsuit on Thursday over the Veterans Affairs Deparment’s failure to act after years of inaction.
Tech
Senate duo advocates for a new federal office to study the global tech landscape
Sens. Michael Bennet and Todd Young said the proposed executive branch office is needed to analyze technology advancement in a geopolitical context.
Pay & Benefits
Doublecheck your TSP beneficiary designations
The federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement plan changed some rules around contingent beneficiaries in 2022.
Workforce
In milestones, Black women from South Carolina and Indiana confirmed as federal judges
To date President Biden has nominated 170 judges confirmed by the Senate.
Management
Want to modernize the federal workforce? Here's how
A new nonprofit study examines how the federal government could update the civil service to both capture new talent and capitalize on its available talent.
Management
Senators unveil bipartisan bill to improve security at federal buildings
Legislation requiring agencies to respond to recommendations from the Federal Protective Service within 90 days, after a GAO investigation and congressional hearings revealed the vast majority of security recommendations go ignored.
Workforce
EPA has a new plan to protect career scientists, but some are questioning its efficacy
Solutions to concerns over accountability and reporting mechanisms are coming soon, EPA official says.
Workforce
Feds to compete for cyber glory at fifth annual President's Cup
CISA officials describe the positive impact the annual cybersecurity game aims to have across the federal workforce.
Oversight
GSA used ‘egregiously flawed’ data to clear purchase of Chinese-made cameras, watchdog says
The inspector general's report noted that the acquired video conferencing cameras were not compliant with the 1979 Trade Agreements Act and contained security flaws that, in some instances, had still gone unpatched.
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