Workforce

Unions are Urging the VA to Better Educate Employees About Their Rights Under COVID Law

Although Congress has approved a number of measures to help federal workers stay safe during the pandemic, labor groups say the Veterans Affairs Department has not adequately trained employees on those benefits.

Workforce

New Bills Try Once More to Force Feds Back to Traditional Offices

Federal employee unions have blasted the latest round of Republican legislation, arguing the bills improperly infringe on their right to negotiate over working conditions.

Workforce

The Justice Dept.’s Workplace Safety Plan Details COVID-19 Testing Protocols

The plan’s language encouraging a “broader” application of telework disappointed career prosecutors, who had hoped for a firm baseline of two days per week of working remotely after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pay & Benefits

Lawmakers Urge the Labor Dept. to Expedite Workers Compensation Claims from Federal Firefighters

A bipartisan group of senators said federal wildland firefighters struggle to get medical treatments for work-related injuries paid for by the government.

Oversight

Older Feds Are Facing Persistent Racial and Gender Pay Disparities, the EEOC Has Found

Although the federal workforce has higher representation of people 40 and older than the private sector, men and white and Asian employees within that age group make more than women and other ethnicities.

Pay & Benefits

Biden Is Reportedly Planning to Propose the Highest Pay Raise for Feds in 20 Years, at 4.6%

The proposal for a 2023 pay boost would be part of the president's budget request, which could be released next month.

Workforce

Nine Federal Agencies Had Almost All of Their Employees Teleworking During COVID-19

A new watchdog report looks at how 24 federal agencies balanced in-person and offsite work during the pandemic.

Workforce

White House Task Force: Agencies Need to Do More to Support Unionization in the Federal Workforce

A task force chaired by Vice President Kamala Harris and Labor Secretary Marty Walsh said that as a “model employer,” the federal government should be at the forefront of removing barriers for employees to organize or join a union.

Workforce

The Justice Dept.’s Diversity Officer Job Listing Requires a Salary History, Despite a Mandate Discouraging the Practice

Asking job candidates about their salary histories has been shown to lead to pay disparities across genders and ethnicities, and President Biden has tasked the Office of Personnel Management with finding a way to ban its use at federal agencies.

Workforce

These Tips Will Help Federal Managers and Employees Navigate the New Hybrid Work Environment

The government’s HR agency said it’s up to everyone to work together to foster effective performance management, particularly when there is a mix of on-site and teleworking feds.

Management

A New Bill Would Move Immigration Judges to the Judiciary, Protecting Them from Political Interference

Democrats who introduced the measure said it will make immigration proceedings akin to those of the U.S. tax court.

Workforce

An Appeals Court Has Overturned Another Decision That Made Life Harder for Federal Employee Unions

For the second time in a week, a three-judge panel struck down a controversial FLRA policy statement, citing “conclusory and counterintuitive assertions” underlying a decision weakening unions’ ability to negotiate over changes to working conditions.

Workforce

A Senate Panel Will Consider Nominees for Two Boards That Govern Federal Employee Issues - Again

A lack of Republican cooperation meant candidates for key administration posts at FLRA and MSPB had to be renominated by President Biden this month.

Workforce

An Appeals Court Shut Down ‘Drive-By’ FLRA Rulings on Midterm Bargaining and Zipper Clauses

A three-judge panel on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit overturned the controversial decision, concluding it “miscast” a Supreme Court ruling.

Pay & Benefits

Career Prosecutors at the Justice Dept. Are Asking for Better Pay and More Telework

In a pair of letters, a professional association representing the prosecutors said the department should improve pay and working conditions to keep pace with legal employers in the private sector.