Management

Report: Federal Agencies Must Be 'Better Connected, More Collaborative' 

Agencies need to work together and with the private sector to improve how they manage IT systems, data and their workforces, researchers say.  

Management

Labor Department Set to Streamline Procurement Services

The department has already made headway on shared services for human resources and information technology.

Management

White House Seeks to Revise Federal Grants Process to Reflect New Priorities

The changes would reduce the reporting burden on grant recipients, among other things.

Pay & Benefits

Merit Board Offers Advice to Fix Reskilling Program That Hasn't Translated to Any New Job Placements

A pilot program to train some non-IT workers with technology skills has not resulted in anyone switching jobs, largely because participants would have needed to take a pay cut.

Management

Trump Administration to Expand Hiring Pilot Programs in 2020

Pilot program with simpler resumes and more input from subject matter experts in assessing candidates will reach at least five additional agencies this year.

Management

OPM Proposes Ditching 'Clerk-Typist' and Other Occupational Classifications That Are Rarely Used Anymore

As many as 28 white collar job titles and 19 trade and craft occupations could be eliminated or rolled into other classifications following an administrative review.

Management

OMB Touts Money and Time Saved From Regulatory Cuts, Eliminating Busywork 

President’s management agenda update highlights 100 “burden-reducing” initiatives. 

Management

What Popular Government Service Providers Could Teach Other Agencies

First of its kind report looks at successful practices that could be replicated governmentwide.

Management

OPM Calls on Agencies to Streamline Federal Firing

Agencies have until March 2020 to eliminate “unnecessary barriers to addressing poor performance,” and even stricter rules are likely on the way.

Management

HHS’s Suspension of Acquisition Services Leaves Outside Agencies and Contractors in Limbo

It’s been three months since the department announced it was closing down its shared services operations, and many questions remain unanswered.

Workforce

Union Lawsuit Accuses Administration of Violating Injunction against Workforce Orders

A New York local argues that by implementing provisions of Trump’s workforce executive orders through collective bargaining, agencies violated a U.S. District Court injunction.

Management

The Trump Administration Finally Has a Top Procurement Administrator

Innovation, cost efficiency, cybersecurity protections, small business partnerships and category management are all on Michael Wooten’s agenda.

Pay & Benefits

New Guidance Helps Agencies Assess the Value of Work-Life Balance Programs

The federal government is looking to quantify the costs and benefits of programs such as telework. 

Management

Trump Administration Backs Off Plan to Close Forest Service Job Corps Centers

USDA and Labor sparked bipartisan furor in a move that would have eliminated 1,100 federal jobs.

Management

Labor Department Asks USDA to Reconsider Job Corps Center Decision

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue had planned to eliminate the centers—and 1,100 federal jobs—from USDA’s portfolio, but lawmakers, and apparently President Trump, have other ideas.

Pay & Benefits

Early Retirement, Severance Options Unclear for Forest Service Workers Facing Layoffs

The decision to eliminate 1,100 Forest Service jobs by Sept. 30 leaves a lot of unanswered questions for employees.

Management

Labor and Management Share Dim View of OPM-GSA Merger Proposal

Officials fear a provision that would send rulemaking authority to a non-Senate confirmed White House official an attempt to politicize the civil service.

Management

Scholar Predicts Government Reform Could Motivate 2020 Voters

New survey data suggest the presidential race outcome could turn on candidate plans for “rebuilding broken bureaucracy,” says New York University’s Paul Light.