Oversight

18,000 employees accept Postal Service buyout

The next deadline for the $15,000 voluntary separation package is Oct. 31.

Pay & Benefits

Cooking classes teach feds the ingredients of a strong immune system

A popular how-to series helps employees prepare foods that will prevent cancer and other diseases such as diabetes.

News

Classes, service projects offer personal growth opportunities

Though these programs aren’t officially part of the governmentwide push for work-life balance, they are flourishing at a number of agencies.

Pay & Benefits

FEHBP open season nears as Congress considers major health care reform

Click here for our guide to Open Season 2009.

Pay & Benefits

Agencies challenge employees to lead a healthier lifestyle

The Obama administration is experimenting with innovative ways to get 75 percent of the federal workforce involved in health and wellness programs by next year.

Defense

Lawmakers see room for improvement in DHS diversity efforts

Homeland Security must step up outreach and find ways to help more minorities advance to senior-level jobs, House members say.

Oversight

Obama prohibits feds from texting while driving

Executive order bans text messaging while operating government-owned vehicles.

Oversight

VA to continue work on energy efficiency

Health care facilities prove especially challenging for reducing energy consumption.

Defense

H1N1 vaccine expected in mid-October

Adults are protected after one dose, officials say.

Oversight

Homeland Security breaks ground at new headquarters

The facility in Southeast Washington will unify the department and help bring jobs to the surrounding struggling neighborhoods, officials say.

Oversight

New FDA facility will oversee tobacco regulation

The Center for Tobacco Products will be staffed by several hundred current agency employees and new hires.

Oversight

HHS says grassroots efforts to fight Medicare fraud have paid off

Department claims that a volunteer program aimed at educating seniors about Medicare and Medicaid so far has saved the government $100 million.

Pay & Benefits

Pilot projects could be the key to speeding discrimination complaint processing

EEOC must oversee and evaluate such projects to succeed, GAO cautions.

Defense

Immigration enforcement agency to overhaul detention system

Reforms will be aimed at improving conditions and strengthening oversight.

Oversight

Panel approves hiring reform, expands whistleblower protections

Legislation to streamline employment process and protect whistleblowers sails through Senate committee markup.

Defense

FEMA’s fuzzy chain of command impedes its mission, observers say

Witnesses testifying before House panel call on Congress to designate an administrator for recovery efforts.

Oversight

Workforce challenges linger at Federal Air Marshal Service

Policies show signs of progress but aren’t perfect yet, witnesses testify before a House Homeland Security subcommittee.

Oversight

State Department launches quadrennial review

Secretary Clinton announces a plan to examine department resources and promote interagency coordination.

Oversight

Private sector not necessarily a model for hiring reform

Some practices such as relying primarily on résumés aren’t suitable for the federal government, consultancy says.

Pay & Benefits

Senate committee endorses 2.9 percent federal pay raise

Senate Appropriations panel’s recommendation for pay increase is higher than Obama’s proposal.