Management

Skills Gaps Within OPM’s Own Workforce Could Make It Less Able to Help Others

The government’s human resources agency has outlined an ambitious agenda to make sure agencies are fully staffed, with the people who have the skills necessary for their jobs.

Management

99% of Women-Owned Businesses Say the Federal Government Hasn’t Done Enough to Support Them, Survey Finds

Women-owned small businesses say they are “not a priority” for the federal government as entrepreneurs continue to share frustration in getting shut out of funding and contracts.

Management

Government Reform Isn’t Dead. It’s Just Changed.

There isn’t much appetite for large-scale governmentwide reforms right now, but there’s still movement at individual agencies. 

Management

ICE, Prison Targeted Immigrants Seeking Medical Care, Complaint Says

The complain alleges that staff at two facilities in Nevada have engaged in retaliatory transfers and medical abuse, including refusing to treat “a severe case of trench foot" for one detainee.

Management

Archivist Nominee Pledges to Address a Backlog That Stands in the Way of Veterans Getting Benefits

“Of utmost importance to me” is reducing the pandemic-induced pileup of records requests, Colleen Shogan told lawmakers in her second nomination hearing. 

Management

30 Years Later, Waco Siege Still Resonates – Especially among Anti-Government Extremists

Waco has been used as a rallying cry for decades, two scholars of domestic extremism explain.

Management

Could Biden Choose A New Running Mate In 2024?

Some Democrats say he should. Black women say he'd better not.

Management

Biden’s Border Crackdown Explained – a Refugee Law Expert Looks at the Legality and Impact of New Asylum Rule

With the expiration of a pandemic-era restriction, the Biden administration is set to impose a new rule to curtail immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Management

The Federal Workplace Is Changing Rapidly, But Merit Principles Must Remain Untouched

The merit system should be at the core of any reforms agencies make to adapt to fast-changing workplace dynamics.

Management

Safety Net Benefit Access is Uneven

The authors of a new Urban Institute report join the podcast to discuss administrative burdens in public assistance programs

Management

A Key Agency in the Ohio Train Derailment Response Hasn’t Had a Confirmed Leader Since Biden Took Office

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration is under capable interim leadership, but the lack of a nominee sends a signal about the administration’s priorities, former officials and other observers say.

Management

Feds Push Local Election Officials to Boost Security Ahead of 2024

Local election offices can be “target-rich, cyber-poor” entities."

Management

Guardrails Are Needed to Help Protect the Integrity of the Post-Election Presidency

A few restrictions would help prevent aggrieved lame duck presidents from hijacking the functions of the executive branch.

Management

The Bureau of Prisons Needs to Do More to Address Inmate-on-Staff Sexual Harassment, a Watchdog Says

The report “affirms the years of widespread reports from across the country of this pervasive and demoralizing conduct in our nation's prisons,” a union president said. 

Management

Say No to Politicizing the Civil Service, But Yes to More Flexibility

Banning exceptions to standard federal personnel rules could make agency-specific reforms more difficult.

Management

OPM’s Event to Attract Laid Off Tech Workers Was Popular, But Will It Yield Results?

Despite widespread interest in a recent recruitment event, clear data on the number of hires remains unavailable to assess the immediate success of such career fairs to fill currently available roles.

Management

Federal Scientists Are Feeling More Empowered Under Biden, Though Censorship Remains a Concern

Employees "painted harrowing pictures" of their time under Trump, but in a new survey said things are mostly getting better.