Workforce
Biden administration launches emergency hiring efforts to support hurricane relief efforts
Federal agencies can quickly appoint new employees, who can serve up to two years.
Workforce
Feds’ employee experience and engagement continued to climb in 2024, FEVS data finds
Federal employees’ view of their agency leaders, supervisors and work experience sustained their rebound from 2022, according to OPM’s annual Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey.
News
Law enforcement officials prepare for possible post-election violence in D.C.
After the events of Jan. 6, the assassination attempts of former President Trump and the concerns of further political violence following this presidential election, federal and D.C. law enforcement are stepping up their preparations in the nation's capital.
Management
The federal government must focus on developing and supporting leaders dedicated to serving the public interest
COMMENTARY | Unlike organizations within the private sector and the military, the executive branch does not have a systematic, deliberate approach to developing and supporting federal leaders, writes one good government advocate.
Management
Secret Service needs to fix 'corrosive cultural attitudes' with its workforce to prevent a successful assassination, panel finds
The failures that led to a nearly successful assassination attempt on Trump run deeper than staffing shortfalls, the investigators found.
Tech
FBI arrests man accused of hacking SEC’s X account in January
The hijacked account posted illegitimate news about a widely-anticipated Bitcoin announcement, leading the cryptocurrency to spike some $1,000.
Pay & Benefits
10 important facts about Medicare
Some things you need to know when approaching Medicare eligibility.
Management
Legislation calls for creation of an independent office to improve the VA
Rep. Rudy Yakym’s, R-Ind., National Veterans’ Advocate Act, would transform the department’s Office of Patient Advocacy into a standalone body similar to the IRS’ Office of the National Taxpayer Advocate.
Tech
Partnership for Public Service plans AI training center for federal employees in 2025
The nonprofit’s proposed Center for Federal AI will provide federal employees with AI-centered education, career development and best practices-backed resources.
Management
5 steps for government reform
COMMENTARY | Fixing these systemic issues would maximize the impact of agencies and career civil servants already doing amazing work every day, writes one good government advocate.
Updated
Workforce
Labor Dept. to require workers to spend half of work time in-person, angering union
The National Council of Field Labor Locals said Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su shirked her collective bargaining responsibilities by reducing telework while the union’s negotiability appeal is still pending before the Federal Labor Relations Authority.
Tech
The Rise of the Chief AI Officer
In the year since the White House required agencies to name a CAIO, the people holding those positions have been responsible for many efforts and innovations that draw on advances in artificial intelligence.
Workforce
Bill aims to support federal prison officers with new mental health grant programs
The legislation calls for new funding to provide mental health screenings to federal corrections officers and contractors, enabling possible referrals to health care providers.
Oversight
GAO: Agency HR offices need better communication with officials in remote posts
Federal officials in Alaska, Hawaii and the United States’ various offshore territories said they struggle to combat high attrition at federal jobs in the non-contiguous U.S., despite some agencies’ efforts.
Pay & Benefits
New bills want to provide Gold Star survivors with better benefits, make it easier for former feds to return
The Gold Star Spouse Healthcare Enhancement Act aims to provide fallen service members’ partners with lower health care costs for longer, while the Return USA Act looks to create an on-ramp for former employees to return to federal service.
Management
Why FEMA’s disaster relief gets political − especially when hurricane season and election season collide
The balance of federal, state and local government authorities and responsibilities during a natural disaster can lead to a politicization of the response efforts, and this year is no different.
Updated
Oversight
VA whistleblowers honored for uncovering mismanagement of veterans’ personal information
Despite receiving OSC’s Public Servant award, the whistleblowers disagreed with investigators’ conclusions that they could not substantiate all of their accusations regarding the department’s alleged inappropriate use of personally identifiable information.
Workforce
'It's heartbreaking:' Federal personnel resume full hurricane response efforts after threats force a partial pause
Misinformation has caused "real-world obstacles" for FEMA responders as the agency looks to protect its workforce.
Workforce
Trump promises pay raises and bonuses to spark a DHS hiring spree
Border Patrol has struggled to hire for a decade, however, and is already offering bonuses larger than Trump is proposing.
Tech