Management

OPM Nominee Sails Through Confirmation Hearing, Pledging to Support Feds and Uphold Merit System

Kiran Ahuja outlined her vision for the federal workforce and the need for the Office of Personnel Management to transform to become a 21st century personnel policymaking agency.

Management

OPM Looks to Update Federal Job Competencies

Officials hope an updated list of skills required for jobs throughout the federal government will better inform federal personnel policy.

Management

Collaboration Between OPM and OMB: Is It Even Possible?

Could government's HR office really “work in concert” with the White House budget office, as a new report recommends, in light of OMB’s clear attempt to eliminate the independent personnel agency?

Pay & Benefits

OPM Finalizes Rule Ensuring Feds Can Change Insurance During Shutdowns

During the 35-day government shutdown, some workers were unable to make changes to their health benefits because the employees responsible for processing those changes were furloughed.

Management

OPM Appointments Mark a Radical Shift in Agency's Role

The hiring of high-level executives from organized labor marks a return to federal employee unions having a seat at the table in the formulation of federal personnel policy.

Management

The Business Case for Investing in Human Capital Management

The payoff will be improved agency performance—and the gains could be significant.

Workforce

OPM Modernization is Critical to Building the Federal Workforce the Nation Needs

Rigid and outdated hiring, pay and performance policies and practices are hurting government’s capacity to respond to urgent problems.

Management

Study: OPM-GSA Merger Proposal Would Not Have Solved Problems It Aimed to Fix

A team of analysts has recommended elevating OPM's role in human capital management and making it less involved in “transaction-by-transaction compliance” activities.

Pay & Benefits

OPM Announces Special Combined Federal Campaign for Texas Storm Victims

Washington, D.C.-area federal employees exceeded expectations and previous years’ totals, raising more than $37 million for charities in 2020.

Management

Past Marijuana Use Is No Longer a Disqualifier for a Federal Job

As more states legalize marijuana, the federal government’s HR agency said agencies can hire people who have used the drug, provided there is “evidence” the candidate will not use it anymore.

Management

Biden Nominates Kiran Ahuja for OPM Director

Ahuja, who previously served as the agency’s chief of staff during the Obama administration, would be the first South Asian and the first Asian American woman to lead the federal government’s HR department.

Pay & Benefits

OPM Implements Recent Pay and Benefits Changes

Acting OPM Director Kathleen McGettigan highlighted changes related to paid leave, premium pay, allowances related to military service and more.

Management

OPM Clarifies Weather Closure Policy Amid Maximum Telework

Although many federal workers have been working remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, OPM reiterated the importance of following inclement weather closure procedures for feds who still commute.

Pay & Benefits

Personnel Office Urged to Provide Feds with Administrative Leave to Get COVID-19 Vaccinations

Washington, D.C.- area House Democrats said some agencies have declined to offer paid time off, although the lawmakers would not say which ones.

Management

Biden Revives an Option for Quick Settlement of Federal Employee Claims

Litigation can again be reserved for cases that aren’t easily resolved, says a federal employee lawyer.