Oversight

Victims Sue AFGE Over Former President’s Misconduct

A group of former employees, contractors and union members assert that for years, the upper management of the largest federal employee union turned a blind eye to former President J. David Cox’s sexual harassment and abuse.

Management

House Defense Policy Bill Fixes Parental Leave Loopholes, Preserves Pentagon Collective Bargaining

The House version of the 2021 Defense authorization measure ensures all federal workers have access to the new benefit providing 12 weeks of paid parental leave, and it also standardizes locality pay between the General Schedule and Federal Wage System pay scales.

Oversight

House Committee Investigates Whether Officials Misled Congress on OPM-GSA Merger

A recent watchdog group report cited notes from a phone call indicating the Trump administration was advised that the merger plan was illegal, an account that is at odds with what OPM officials testified before Congress last year.

Oversight

New Legislation Would Increase Oversight Of Agency Relocations

Measure would require federal officials to conduct detailed cost-benefit analyses and provide them to inspectors general and the public for review before undertaking any effort to move federal agencies.

Pay & Benefits

Senate Defense Policy Bill Would Allow Pay Increases for a Few Federal Tech and Acquisition Jobs

The bill would also improve a recently enacted fix to tax regulations related to government-provided relocation expenses.

Management

After COVID Delay, OPM Prepares for 2020 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey

This year’s iteration of the annual survey of federal workers’ engagement and morale will begin on July 13 and include questions about agencies’ response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Management

White House Advisor Sought Legal Opinion to Allow Trump to Fire Anyone In Government

A recently published internal White House document from early in the Trump administration proved to be a road map for the White House’s efforts to weaken unions and cut federal employee pay and benefits.

Management

Union, Trump Administration Trade Barbs in Impasse Panel Lawsuit Hearing

Attorneys for the Trump administration argued that the D.C. District Court lacks jurisdiction to hear constitutional challenges against how members of the panel are appointed, but a judge in a separate case ruled against the government on that issue Monday.

Pay & Benefits

Senator Calls for New Opt-In Period for Military's Blended Retirement System, More Financial Literacy

A new bill from Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., would require service members to "affirmatively" choose between enrolling in the blended retirement system or a traditional military pension.

Pay & Benefits

TSP Outlines Impact of New Lifecycle Fund Implementation

Next week, officials at the federal government's 401(k)-style retirement savings program will begin offering lifecycle funds in five-year increments, moving the options in line with private sector counterparts.

Pay & Benefits

OPM: Some Feds' Leave Canceled Because of COVID-19 Will Be Restored

The federal government's HR agency said it will issue regulations allowing for agencies to restore federal workers' use-or-lose annual leave if it is canceled due to essential coronavirus response work.

Oversight

Watchdog: HHS Hasn't Done Enough to Catalog Reports of Sexual Misconduct in Migrant Children Facilities

In a six month period in 2018, the Health and Human Services Department IG found more than 700 possible sexual incidents of varying severity, including 48 incidents of misconduct by an adult against a minor.

Management

Union Files Grievance Over VA's Refusal to Bargain

The Veterans Affairs Department claims it doesn't need to negotiate with labor leaders until the pandemic is over.

Management

Labor Authority Overturns Another Precedent Days After Court Rebuke

The agency that governs federal sector labor-management relations seeks to limit arbitrators' authority to provide prospective remedies in grievance proceedings.

Pay & Benefits

TSP Announces CARES Act Loans Now Available

Federal workers and retirees who have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic may now take advantage of favorable loan terms on their retirement accounts.

Management

Watchdog: HUD Telework During the Pandemic Has Been Mostly Successful

A survey of employees found that the department was well prepared to move its workforce to full-time telework, although there were some hiccups around paper-based processes.