Defense

Republicans rehash vaccine mandate policies in defense authorization bill amendments

House Armed Services Committee markup adds legislation aimed at helping troops who refused the COVID-19 vaccine.

Workforce

Biden Killed the Vaccine Mandate for Feds. He’s Still Threatening to Take the Case to the Supreme Court.

The administration is looking to avoid a potentially far-reaching decision that would limit presidential authority over the federal workforce.

Oversight

Struggles With Air Quality in Federal Offices Put Occupants At Risk of COVID Exposure

Leadership at the General Services Administration agreed with recommendations to address the issues from its watchdog.

Management

Coronavirus Roundup: The Last One

There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s a list of this week’s news updates and stories you may have missed.

Management

Coronavirus Roundup: The Future of the OSHA Standard to Protect Healthcare Workers from COVID is Unclear

There’s a lot to keep track of. Here’s a list of this week’s news updates and stories you may have missed.

Pay & Benefits

Fed Health Care Changes and the End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

Some over-the-counter and out-of-network coverage may be different now that the pandemic emergency is over.

Management

What Public Health Lessons Need to Be Learned from the COVID Crisis?

Dr. Richard Stone joins the podcast to discuss his book and running VHA during the early part of the coronavirus pandemic.

Management

Passport Bottleneck Is Holding up International Travel by Americans Eager to See the World as COVID-19 Eases

Precautions taken in response to COVID-19 explain some but not all of the recent long delays in getting a passport.

Workforce

Could a New COVID Vaccine Offer Lifelong Protection?

"We need a better vaccine, one that provides years of robust protection with fewer booster shots against a variety of SARS-CoV-2 strains."

Workforce

Anti-Telework Bill Makes Its Way to the Senate

The SHOW UP Act, which narrowly passed the House in February, requires federal agencies to revert to their telework policies prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pay & Benefits

Federal Prison Employees Ask the Supreme Court to Review COVID Hazard Pay Case

Attorneys for nearly 200 U.S. Bureau of Prisons workers in Connecticut said a federal appellate court effectively made it impossible for any federal worker to qualify for hazard pay related to “virulent biologicals” with its interpretation of federal regulations.

Management

Coronavirus Roundup: The Pandemic Public Health Emergency Is Over

There’s a lot to keep track of. Here’s a list of this week’s news updates and stories you may have missed.

Workforce

The Public Health Emergency Is Ending… And Taking Maximum Telework With It

Courtney Bublé, Eric Katz and Erich Wagner join the podcast to discuss the ways public servants will feel the expiration of the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Management

What Will -- and Won’t -- Change for Federal Agencies With the End of the COVID Health Emergency

A look at how we got here and what’s ahead for federal agencies and workers now that the pandemic emergency is over.

Workforce

It's Official: No More COVID Vaccine Mandate for Federal Workers and Contractors

The move comes just days before the end of the public health emergency for COVID, and had been expected. 

Workforce

What Do We Know About Long COVID?

Researchers dig into what they've learned after a year of studying long COVID—as well as what they don't know about the condition.

Workforce

Time Of Day May Affect COVID Vaccine Effectiveness

Time of day may be important for how effective the COVID-19 vaccine is. A new study suggests middle of the day may be be best.