Workforce

Lagging Pay and Back to the Office Transitions Likely Caused Feds' Morale Drop This Year, OPM Says

The lack of pay increases to match inflation and the federal government’s implementation of return to office initiatives could be responsible for dips in employee satisfaction as measured in the annual Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey.

Pay & Benefits

Here’s What Still Needs to Happen for Feds to Get Their 2023 Pay Raise

Although there’s only a month left in the year, there are still a number of things that must be done to finalize an average 4.6% pay hike for civilian federal workers in January.

Management

Social Security Warns Public of Declining Service if Congress Doesn’t Increase Funding

The agency that administers Americans’ retirement and disability benefits employed an unusual tactic in its effort to lobby lawmakers to approve President Biden’s proposed $14.8 billion budget for the Social Security Administration.

Pay & Benefits

Low Pay Remains the Largest Barrier to Federal Wildland Firefighter Recruitment, GAO Says

Although the Biden administration has taken multiple steps to boost compensation for federal firefighters, the government watchdog agency reports those measures are both not enough to compete with state and local governments and only temporary.

Workforce

Education Dept. and AFGE Reach a Settlement on Dozens of Complaints Stemming From 2018 Management Edict

A draconian collective bargaining agreement imposed without negotiating with the union, ended official time, removed workplace protections and implemented a scheme designed to cut off the union's dues collection.

Workforce

The Consumer Protection Bureau's Union Is Pushing for Better Pay, Fewer Pay Gaps

CFPB employee representatives said the agency is dragging its feet on plans to reduce gender and racial pay gaps, as well as to comply with federal law requiring compensation comparable with other financial regulators.

Workforce

An Appeals Court Seems Skeptical of Both Sides in Immigration Judges Union Case

A three-judge panel questioned attorneys for the National Association of Immigration Judges on whether their appeal was premature, and grilled FLRA lawyers on whether the union can seek redress through administrative channels.

Workforce

Trump, Who Tried to Weaken Feds' Civil Service Protections, Announces 2024 Run

Prior to Tuesday’s announcement, the former president endorsed plans to reimplement Schedule F if he returned to the White House.

Pay & Benefits

A Federal Employee Group is Again Urging OPM to Ban All Use of Salary History in the Federal Hiring Process

An organization focused on improving gender equity at the Justice Department warned that anything short of completely banning federal agencies from considering job applicants’ salary histories could continue to perpetuate historic pay gaps in government.

Management

OPM Finalizes Rules Rescinding Provisions of Trump’s Firing Executive Order

The new regulations follow through on a 2021 executive order signed by President Biden rescinding several of the Trump administration’s personnel policies.

Workforce

A Union Has Filed a Complaint Against a Defense Agency Over Failure to Implement Biden's Voting Leave Policy

Officials with the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers said the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ inaction is emblematic of the Defense Department’s propensity to “slow walk” workforce policies that benefit employees.

Management

Here's What OPM Is Doing to Change Its Approach to Federal Personnel Issues

Kiran Ahuja said the Office of Personnel Management is working to implement the National Academy of Public Administration’s recommendations to transform the agency.

Pay & Benefits

House Lawmakers Have Proposed Restructuring Public Service Loan Forgiveness

A new bill would provide partial forgiveness for every year’s worth of loan repayments and expands what loans and repayment plans would qualify for the program.

Exclusive Workforce

Sen. Kaine is ‘Optimistic’ an Anti-Schedule F Bill Will Get a Floor Vote This Year

The Democratic senator described Republican arguments that the Trump administration’s abortive effort to make thousands of federal workers effectively at-will employees was aimed at dealing with poor performers as “not honest.”

Pay & Benefits

New Data Suggests the Federal Pay Gap With the Private Sector Is Widening

Union officials called on the Biden administration to provide a more generous raise than the 4.6% average increase slated for next year, while a group representing executives urged officials to explore broader pay reform efforts.

Pay & Benefits

Education Department Issues More Rules to Simplify Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Rules set to take effect next July expand which past loan repayments will apply for the program as well as simplify the employment certification process for some applicants.

Workforce

Federal Employee Advocates and Scholars All Are Urging Congress to Enact Anti-Schedule F Legislation

With the window to pass a bill preventing presidents from unilaterally creating new job classifications closing at the end of the year, good government and federal employee advocates warn of potential grave consequences for inaction.

Pay & Benefits

The Education Department Announces More Tweaks to Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Although temporary measures making the program easier to access will be unavailable from November until next July, officials said they are prepping a new one-time adjustment for applicants involved in income-driven repayment plans.

Workforce

Social Security Union Rallies Outside the Agency's Headquarters for Funding, Bargaining and Training

An internal survey conducted by the American Federation of Government Employees found that 4 in 10 field office respondents are considering leaving the agency within the next year.