Workforce

Gen Z is underrepresented in the federal workforce. Here’s how some experts would fix that

People younger than 30 represent 7% of the full-time civil service despite being 20% of the overall U.S. labor force.

Pay & Benefits

OPM details emergency leave transfer for feds affected by Hurricane Beryl

The federal government’s HR agency is allowing federal employees to donate their paid leave to those impacted by the storm that has caused an estimated $28 billion-$32 billion in damages and economic effects in the U.S. alone. 

Pay & Benefits

Justice employee group provides testimonials on the need for better IVF coverage for feds

Three dozen members of the Department of Justice Gender Equality Network described their experiences trying to conceive in a letter to OPM.

Pay & Benefits

OPM directs agencies to conduct pay equity studies

The gender pay gap in the federal government was 5.6% in 2022, meaning women federal workers earned on average 94 cents for every dollar earned by their male counterparts.

Pay & Benefits

OPM wants agencies to tally their senior executive needs

The federal government’s HR agency has requested biennial projections for the number of SES and scientific professionals that agencies will likely need through 2027.

Pay & Benefits

OPM’s backlog of pending retirement claims ticked back up in June

The federal government’s dedicated HR agency processed around 1,300 fewer claims than it received last month, bringing its retirement backlog back above 15,000.

Oversight

PEER sues to force OPM to implement administrative leave reforms

Though Congress enacted a law aimed at ending agencies’ abuse of involuntary administrative leave, the federal government’s dedicated HR agency has yet to implement its key provisions.

Workforce

‘Trailblazing’ federal leaders urge perseverance, authenticity to government interns

Panelists at an OPM event for interns praised federal DEI programs, which some congressional Republicans want to end.

Workforce

Republicans block expanded in vitro fertilization coverage for feds in House and Senate

Senate Democrats failed to secure the 60 votes needed to bypass a GOP filibuster, while House Democrats saw a similar provision defanged in appropriations talks.

Workforce

Republicans look to 'dismantle' DEI efforts at federal agencies

New bill would strike down President Biden's diversity efforts and create strict rules preventing such initiatives.

Pay & Benefits

OPM’s retirement backlog hit an 8-year low last month

Efforts to streamline the processing of departing federal workers’ retirement applications continue to pay dividends, as the inventory of pending claims hit the lowest point since 2016.

Oversight

Government watchdog reminds OPM about open HR recommendations

Some of the GAO’s priority recommendations include overhauling the General Schedule classification and pay system and simplifying agency hiring authorities.

Pay & Benefits

Senate plans swift action on IVF bill containing new requirements for FEHBP

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Tuesday that he had already begun the process of bringing a legislative package aimed at protecting Americans’ access to assistive reproductive technology to the floor for a vote.

Management

OPM reminds agencies of burrowing rules ahead of election season

All proposed appointments to career competitive service or Senior Executive Service positions must be reviewed by the federal government’s dedicated HR agency.

Workforce

OPM’s new acting director defends federal telework, anti-Schedule F regulations

Rob Shriver defended the Biden administration’s workforce policies, citing new data suggesting fewer federal employees telework than their private sector counterparts.

Workforce

Federal agencies’ engagement and morale bounced back in 2023, according to annual rankings

The Partnership for Public Service’s annual Best Places to Work in the Federal Government report found that roughly two-thirds of federal agencies saw boosts in employee engagement and job satisfaction last year.

Workforce

OPM announces new 'safe leave' for domestic violence victims

Federal workers may now take paid leave to address issues related to their or a family member’s safety or to recover from domestic violence, abuse or harassment, under new guidance from the government’s dedicated HR agency.

Workforce

Surgeon general says telework’s flexibility should be balanced with purposeful connection to promote mental health

The nation’s top doctor urged federal bosses to better promote workplace social connections to counter the feelings of isolation that telework may induce.

Pay & Benefits

OPM’s retirement backlog continued a four-month downward trend in April

Though the Office of Personnel Management’s backlog of pending federal retirement claims fell again last month, the pace of progress has slowed.

Pay & Benefits

OPM tweaks its final rule for the postal health benefits plan

The federal HR agency posted its final rule for establishing the Postal Service Health Benefits program on Monday, clarifying language on Medicare Part B enrollment and other details.