Management

OPM Issues Guidance on Agency Hiring of Chief Diversity Officers

The memo builds off President Biden’s executive order aimed at improving the diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility of federal agencies.

Workforce

Report: 45% of All Federal Employees Teleworked in Fiscal 2020

The Office of Personnel Management’s latest annual telework report captures the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Workforce

OPM To Publish Rule Implementing Law Protecting Feds from Discrimination, Whistleblower Retaliation

The Elijah E. Cummings Federal Employee Antidiscrimination Act requires agencies to publish instances when they discriminated or retaliated against federal workers and encourages agencies to punish federal employees responsible for such acts.

Management

OPM Faces Uncertain Funding Prospects

The federal government’s human resources agency is still dealing with budget shortfalls arising from moving background checks to the Defense Department, and the prospect of a full-year continuing resolution could exacerbate existing pressures.

Workforce

OPM Proposes Regulations Repealing Trump-era Firing Policy

President Biden during his first week in office had rescinded the executive order aimed at making it easier to fire federal workers.

Management

OPM Again Extends Deadline for Agencies to Adopt Skills-Based Hiring

The government's personnel agency said final guidance on implementing skills-based hiring assessments, rather than purely educational attainment, is coming soon.

Pay & Benefits

OPM Reminds Agencies to Provide Feds Leave for COVID-19 Boosters

Agencies should also grant leave to federal workers who need time off to take family members to get a booster of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Workforce

Ahuja: OPM Has Hired More than 300 as Part of Agency Rebuild

The director of the Office of Personnel Management said a recent report on how to reform the HR agency has “galvanized” its workforce in support of change.

Management

House Panel Advances OPM Reform Legislation

Republicans opposed the bill aimed at insulating the Office of Personnel Management from political interference, arguing that doing so would lead to “unaccountable bureaucrats.”

Workforce

House Panel Examines Recruitment and Telework for the ‘Next Generation’ of Feds

Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., said Wednesday that he is introducing legislation to reform the federal government’s internship programs and writing a bill to expand agencies’ metrics regarding telework following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pay & Benefits

GAO: Key Locality Pay Decisions Stalled by Lack of Biden Appointees

Although the Federal Salary Council could clear up years of disagreements that cropped up during the Trump administration, President Biden has thus far failed to appoint any members to the advisory body.

Management

Lawmakers Introduce Bill To Insulate OPM From Political Interference

Legislation would require presidents to nominate OPM directors without political considerations and make them the president’s “principal advisor” on federal workforce issues.

Pay & Benefits

OPM Director Reaffirms that Essential Feds Will Have Annual Leave Restored Due to COVID-19

Federal employees deemed essential to combatting the pandemic will again be able to carry over unused annual leave that exceeds the typical cap in January.

Pay & Benefits

Biden Signs Wildland Firefighter Pay Reform Into Law as Part of Infrastructure Package

Some federal wildland firefighters could see up to a $20,000 increase in base pay, and their positions will shift to a new “wildland firefighter” occupational series.

Pay & Benefits

OPM to Offer Same-Sex Spouses Another Chance at Survivor Benefits

A new notice this week announced that the federal government’s HR agency is waiving the requirement that a widow or widower be married to a federal worker for nine months to be eligible for survivor benefits in some cases.

Workforce

OPM Encourages Agencies to Expand Telework, Remote Work Permanently in New Guidance

The Office of Personnel Management on Friday issued its first major update to its telework guide in a decade.

Workforce

OPM: Agencies Must Provide Time Off for Feds to Get Their Kids Vaccinated Against COVID-19

The federal government’s HR agency reminded officials that they must provide employees administrative leave to accompany children getting the COVID-19 vaccine, following approval of the vaccine for 5- through 11-year-olds.