Management

Social Security Institutes Fulltime Telework for Most Employees

Some workers will temporarily be provided weather and safety leave until the agency can increase its supply of equipment, while others could be recalled for short periods to handle non-portable work.

Management

OPM Highlights 'Evacuation Pay' Authority As a Way Agencies Can Expedite Telework

The Office of Personnel Management on Thursday clarified a number of issues for both agencies and federal employees as they respond to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Management

Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Overturn Trump Collective Bargaining Decisions

A bipartisan measure would nullify President Trump’s three executive orders aimed at reducing the influence of federal employee unions, as well as a memo granting the secretary of Defense the authority to exempt the Pentagon from federal labor law.

Management

Senators Urge Trump Administration to Publish Agency Contingency Plans

Democratic lawmakers said that making agencies’ continuity of operations plans public could put the minds of both federal workers and members of the public at ease.

Management

Labor Authority Formally Proposes Rule Making It Easier for Feds to Cancel Union Dues

The agency tasked with administering federal sector labor law said it must change how federal workers cancel union dues to comply with a recent Supreme Court decision, but unions accused it of using the case as pretext to hamper labor groups.

Pay & Benefits

Social Security Closes All Local Offices Amid Coronavirus Threat

Although officials said the agency is working to expand telework as much as possible, union leaders disputed that, describing “Kafkaesque” inaction.

Pay & Benefits

Federal Judge Dismisses Shutdown Lawsuit

A federal employee union had argued that forcing federal employees to work without pay during a lapse in appropriations constitutes a violation of the Anti-Deficiency Act, but a judge on Monday ruled that with the government open, the case is now moot.

Management

USDA Allows Voluntary Telework Following Positive Coronavirus Test at Headquarters

The Agriculture Department has closed a section of its main office in Washington for "deep cleaning."

Pay & Benefits

OPM Urges FEHBP Insurers to Reduce Costs for Coronavirus Treatment

Amid questions from lawmakers, the federal government’s HR agency confirmed that it is pushing to minimize costs for federal employees who require treatment for COVID-19.

Management

Social Security Restores Telework to Previous Levels, But Continues to Resist Expansion to Combat Coronavirus

Union filed a complaint with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration on Thursday accusing the agency of forcing employees to work in an unsafe workplace.

Management

White House Recommends Telework for Certain Feds

The Office of Management and Budget "encouraged" agencies to sign up federal workers that are members of high-risk populations for telework, and to coordinate with state and local institutions.

Management

Some Agencies Reluctant to Embrace Telework and Take Other Precautions, Despite Growing Coronavirus Concerns

Although some agencies have stepped up to protect their workforces as the novel coronavirus outbreak widens, many federal employees report a resistance to remote work and a lack of basic sanitary measures.

Pay & Benefits

OPM Dismisses Union Concerns About Paid Parental Leave Implementation

Agency Director Dale Cabaniss argued that legislative proposals listed as part of OPM's fiscal 2021 budget justification merely sought "clarification" from Congress, and were not intended to set limitations on the new benefit.

Management

SEC Institutes Telework-Only Thanks to Robust Remote Work Program

The Securities and Exchange Commission quickly implemented mandatory telework for D.C. workers to protect them from the potential spread of coronavirus, but unions say other agencies have been reluctant to support the practice.

Pay & Benefits

House Democrats Reintroduce Bill to Protect Telework at Federal Agencies Amid Coronavirus Fears

The measure would prohibit agencies from making across-the-board cuts to telework programs, and require annual goals for participation in such programs.

Pay & Benefits

House Passes Bill Granting TSA Employees Full Workers Rights

The Rights for Transportation Security Officers Act would bring the Transportation Security Administration workforce under Title 5 of the U.S. Code, granting them access to the General Schedule pay system and a slew of other rights and protections.

Management

OPM Issues Additional Coronavirus Guidance, Encouraging Telework, Reduced Travel

The federal government’s HR agency orders all agencies to include telework in contingency plans, and encourages them to reduce “non-essential” travel.

Management

Unions Report No Sign of Telework Flexibilities Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

Although both OPM and the CDC have strongly encouraged allowing employees to work remotely to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, several agencies have yet to respond to those recommendations.

Pay & Benefits

Union Urges OPM Director to Withdraw Proposal to Limit Paid Parental Leave

As part of its fiscal 2020 budget justification, the personnel agency proposed legislation limiting the availability of paid parental leave for foster placements and in instances where both parents are federal workers.