News

Reforms begin to ease security clearance backlog

Build-up of Top Secret clearances has been reduced 25 percent since February.

Pay & Benefits

OPM offers new flexible spending option

Enrollees in high-deductible health plans can set aside tax-free dollars for dental and vision care.

Management

Panel weighs idea of ‘super court’ to handle federal employee appeals

Opponents of proposal say such a court would simply create more bureaucracy.

Management

Unions attack Pentagon’s policy switch on national bargaining

National-level bargaining was portrayed as one of “three pillars” of personnel reforms in initial talks.

Pay & Benefits

Pay raise spared in Senate budget measure

Republican senator says he is still working to freeze the 3.1 percent proposed hike for next year.

Pay & Benefits

Liable to be Liable

When it’s time to implement pay-for-performance, managers might want extra protection.

Management

Intelligence execs urged to gain experience with multiple agencies

Such exposure likely will become a requirement for executive jobs, human capital chief says.

Pay & Benefits

Law enforcement personnel proposal vexes unions

Labor groups express concern that plan would grant OPM too much power.

Management

Flexibility fuels intern program’s growth

More than 90 percent of Federal Career Intern Program graduates plan to stay in government, MSPB finds.

Pay & Benefits

Group of senators backs federal pay freeze

All employees except law enforcement officers and military personnel would be affected.

Pay & Benefits

Costly Confusion

Technical glitches are continuing to leave some feds stuck in the wrong retirement system.

Defense

Pentagon stands ground on personnel reforms

Despite negative reaction, Defense officials say employees will ultimately embrace the system.

Defense

Pentagon fine-tunes personnel reforms

Final regulations limit power to override collective bargaining.

Management

Agencies pitch vacancies to the college crowd

OPM touts governmentwide job Web site, but some officials say more positions are available on individual agency sites.

Pay & Benefits

Senate votes for 3.1 percent pay raise in 2006

Bill also includes language to help federal employees in public-private job competitions.

Pay & Benefits

Justice lawyers en route to comp time for travel

House committee advances bill to grant department's lawyers same benefits as other white-collar workers.

Pay & Benefits

Thrift Inspection

It’s time to check up on the health of the Thrift Savings Plan.

Management

OPM launches online center to aid personnel reforms

Web site provides forum for managers to share best practices.

Management

President honors outstanding senior executives

Highest award comes with cash bonus of more than $35,000.

Pay & Benefits

Senior executives see drop in performance ratings

Despite lower marks, more SES members receive performance awards.