Pay & Benefits

Agencies Do Not Have to Grant Special Paid Leave to Feds Exposed to Ebola

OPM, however, recommends they provide civilian workers quarantined because of their job some excused absence.

Defense

VA Fires Another Senior Exec

Director of the Phoenix VA health care system had been on paid administrative leave since May, pending an investigation.

Pay & Benefits

Changes to Catastrophic Health Protection in 2015 Should Reassure Feds

An across-the-board cap on out-of-pocket expenses effective next year could bring some relief to FEHBP enrollees.

Defense

Veteran Suicides Highlight Tragic Consequences of Bureaucracy

Senate hearing on improving mental health care access for vets poignantly underscores the new secretary’s management challenges.

Oversight

Chaffetz Will Replace Issa as House Oversight and Government Reform Chairman

Media-savvy Republican has shepherded legislation affecting federal employees’ pay and benefits.

Pay & Benefits

TSP Board Green Lights More Homework on Mutual Fund Option

Agency staff will craft an implementation plan in 2015 for rolling out the potential new offering for feds.

Management

USAJobs Is Getting Another Makeover

OPM director says the agency is revamping the federal hiring portal, but did not specify a relaunch date.

Management

VA Fires Senior Exec in Pittsburgh Over Legionnaires’ Outbreak

Terry Gerigk Wolf, who had been on paid leave since June, was removed Thursday for “conduct unbecoming” and “wasteful spending.”

Pay & Benefits

Misbehaving VA Execs Could Lose Some of Their Pension Benefits

Bill would give the secretary power to strip a portion of an employee’s retirement benefits on account of wrongdoing or poor performance.

Pay & Benefits

TSP Moves Closer to Offering Mutual Fund Option

Board still has more homework to do on costs and implementation, but so far supports the additional investment flexibility for feds.

Defense

Unemployment Among Post-9/11 Vets Is Still High

But efforts by the government and the private sector to hire former service members are making a difference, data shows.

Analysis

Down on the Boardwalk

Sandy program chief Sara Meyers shows how data analysis can improve government services for hurricane victims and others in need.

Management

VA Secretary Touts Largest Reorganization in Department's History

The "MyVA" approach aims to bring a focus on customer service to an entrenched bureaucracy.

Pay & Benefits

Phased Retirement Watch: Will Your Agency Offer It?

We’re tracking agencies that have weighed in on phased retirement, and will update our list whenever we have news.

Management

VA Secretary Says He’s Moving as Fast as Possible to Remove Bad Apples

Bob McDonald responds to criticism that the department has been too slow to sack top leaders involved in falsifying patient care documents and other controversies.

Pay & Benefits

Employees Can Start Applying For Phased Retirement Thursday – In Theory

Despite the benefit's popularity among eligible feds, most agencies probably aren’t ready to offer it yet.

Defense

Government Seeks Vets Interested in STEM Jobs

A new program designed to attract vets in science, technology, engineering and math will launch in 2015.

Defense

Defense Civilians Can Opt Out of Ebola Quarantine

Service members, however, are required to go into 21-day isolation after leaving West Africa.

Defense

Troops, Defense Employees Will Have Less Money for Extended Travel Starting Nov. 1

Opponents of a new policy designed to cut costs had hoped the Pentagon would delay its implementation, pending further debate.