Pay & Benefits

New House COVID-19 Bill Includes Hazard Pay for Feds, Strengthens Protections for Telework and Sick Leave

Pelosi on Tuesday unveiled legislation that would provide up to $10,000 in premium pay for federal workers on the front lines of the coronavirus outbreak and would prevent agencies from exempting employees from paid sick leave benefits.

Pay & Benefits

House Democrats Urge Leadership to Begin Paid Parental Leave for Feds Early

A group of 12 lawmakers said the new benefit for federal workers, currently slated for implementation in October, should apply retroactively to December.

Pay & Benefits

House Legislation Would Protect Feds’ Unused Leave During Coronavirus Pandemic

Rep. Jennifer Wexton, D-Va., has introduced a bill that would ensure that federal workers who are unable to take a vacation due to the COVID-19 outbreak will not lose their paid leave.

Pay & Benefits

OPM Urges FEHBP Insurers to Reduce Costs for Coronavirus Treatment

Amid questions from lawmakers, the federal government’s HR agency confirmed that it is pushing to minimize costs for federal employees who require treatment for COVID-19.

Pay & Benefits

OPM Dismisses Union Concerns About Paid Parental Leave Implementation

Agency Director Dale Cabaniss argued that legislative proposals listed as part of OPM's fiscal 2021 budget justification merely sought "clarification" from Congress, and were not intended to set limitations on the new benefit.

Management

Civil Service Reform, Again

The Republican Study Committee’s recent task force report is correct in its point that federal benefits costs cannot be justified.

Pay & Benefits

Union Urges OPM Director to Withdraw Proposal to Limit Paid Parental Leave

As part of its fiscal 2020 budget justification, the personnel agency proposed legislation limiting the availability of paid parental leave for foster placements and in instances where both parents are federal workers.

Pay & Benefits

Military Family Members and Retirees Could Lose Medical Clinic Access under Pentagon Plan

The Defense Department this week published a plan to downsize dozens of military treatment facilities and make many accessible only to active duty troops.

Pay & Benefits

OPM, Lawmakers Propose Fixes to New Paid Parental Leave Law

The effort to ensure all federal employees have access to up to 12 weeks of paid time off following the birth, adoption or foster placement of a child now has bipartisan support.

Pay & Benefits

White House Revives Controversial Retirement Cut Proposals

The Trump administration’s fiscal 2021 budget proposal would require federal workers to contribute more to their retirement benefit programs and reduce annual cost of living adjustments.

Pay & Benefits

Feds at Two Major Agencies Would Not Get Paid Parental Leave Under New Law

A law authorizing 12 weeks of paid parental leave for federal workers applies only to Title 5 employees, leaving workers at TSA, FAA and elsewhere fearing they will miss out. Democrats are working to change that.

Pay & Benefits

In Surprise Move, Trump Gives Federal Employees Christmas Eve Off

The move splits from most recent precedent when Christmas fell on a Wednesday.

Pay & Benefits

Defense Policy Bill With Paid Parental Leave for Feds Goes to President Trump's Desk

Senate approves the annual Defense authorization act, which provides all federal workers with up to 12 weeks of annual leave for the birth or adoption of a child.

Pay & Benefits

White House, Democrats Reach Deal to Provide Paid Family Leave to Feds

A tentative agreement on the fiscal 2020 National Defense Authorization Act would provide all federal employees with 12 weeks of paid family leave each year.

Workforce

Feds Are Unlikely to Get Christmas Eve Off This Year

Presidents do not typically grant extra vacation time when Christmas falls on a Wednesday.

Pay & Benefits

Making Sense of FEHBP's New 'Indemnity' Plans

The plans are not much different than the health insurance program's fee-for-service offerings, despite the name.

Pay & Benefits

No New Locality Pay Areas, But Salary Council Considers More Formula Tweaks

The Federal Salary Council announced that the pay gap between federal workers and the private sector, as calculated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, now sits at 26.71%.