Tech

Cybersecurity spending projected to be flat in 2005

Report finds that information technology security spending is set to rise 2 percent in fiscal 2005, a sharp drop from previous years.

Defense

House votes to keep Homeland Security in Washington

House passes a bill Monday that will keep DHS headquarters in its current, Nebraska Avenue, location.

Management

OPM pushes on-the-spot hiring

But one expert on the subject says direct hiring authority should be used only in limited situations.

Pay & Benefits

Schedule Shift

Those scheduled to stay home Friday as part of an alternative work schedule will be credited with eight hours of leave because of the national day of mourning.

News

Reagan remembered for hard-line approach on personnel issues

Opinions differ on 40th president’s personnel policies, but most agree his legacy is still felt today in the executive branch.

News

Unwieldy hiring process can be fixed, top personnel official says

Office of Personnel Management Director Kay Coles James says job seekers want to work in the federal government but are dissuaded by cumbersome hiring procedure.

News

Homeland Security job applicants surprised by continued hiring freeze

Job seekers want more information, and labor union leaders say this is no time to stop hiring.

News

Homeland Security clears up books, but hiring still frozen

Fears of a budget shortfall prove unfounded, but officials still won’t start adding staff again until 2005.

Pay & Benefits

Healthy Reserves

A bipartisan vote in the Senate Wednesday approved year-round military health care for reservists.

News

OPM approves hiring flexibilities for two agencies

OPM Director Kay Coles James grants direct hiring authority to the Homeland Security and Health and Human Services departments.

Defense

Senator approves plan to redirect state bioterrorism funding

Health and Human Services plan to redirect state biological terrorism money sparks controversy.

Pay & Benefits

Chief Reform Officer

A career civil servant has been handed the job of implementing the Defense Department's new personnel system.

Pay & Benefits

Drop General Schedule system by 2009, report says

National Academy of Public Administration recommends pay banding salary system.

Tech

Lockheed developing military health tracking system

Defense Department awards Lockheed Martin $47 million contract to build the second phase of a medical monitoring program.

News

OPM to propose more flexible hiring rules

Personnel officials outline plan to ease restrictions on hiring student interns and people with disabilities.

Pay & Benefits

Senators push bill to eliminate TSP open seasons

Action comes just a few days after a House subcommittee approved similar legislation.

News

Senior official says human capital officers are stretched thin

OPM Director Kay Coles James says the human capital chiefs wear too many hats and are overworked.

Pay & Benefits

Closing Open Seasons

House subcommittee takes a step toward getting rid of Thrift Savings Plan open seasons, which restrict participant changes to certain times of the year.

Pay & Benefits

Senator seeks pay boost for federal workers serving in reserves

Proposed amendment would pay them their civilian salary while they are deployed in the National Guard or Reserves.

News

Nuclear agency moving toward security personnel reform

Federal security force, improved recruitment and beefed up training are all part of NNSA’s effort to shore up what many say is lax security at nuclear facilities.