Oversight

GSA boosts per diem rates in major metro areas

Federal employees on business travel to New York City and San Francisco will have more money for hotel expenses from April through September.

Defense

Report urges intelligence community to use more science in recruitment of analysts

Raw cognitive ability is a better indicator of success than specific expertise, says the National Research Council.

News

Federal Benefits and Japan

Pay & Benefits

Hitting the Ceiling

What happens to federal employees’ benefits when the government bumps up against its debt limit?

Oversight

FEMA recoups millions in improper payments

Agency makes progress with revised process for recovering money but still faces challenges in collecting debt, officials say.

Oversight

OPM chief calls for new performance review system

John Berry says current process has 'dehumanized' management.

Defense

Government would save billions by capping pay, CBO says

Latest report from the Congressional Budget Office explores potential savings of reducing annual military and civilian pay raises.

Oversight

Federal mentors dispense wisdom on YouTube

Top government leaders offer career advice in online videos for young employees.

Defense

Government uses new and old media to get its message out after Japan disaster

Press conferences, Twitter help agencies disseminate information on tsunami effects in the U.S.

Oversight

OPM’s Berry grilled by lawmakers on pay freeze

Conservative analysts tell panel federal workers earn more than private sector counterparts, but call Obama’s two-year freeze badly targeted.

Defense

Commission calls on Pentagon to scrap women in combat policy

Panel says excluding women from combat under certain circumstances limits their opportunities for career advancement.

Defense

Deadline extended for special military pay

Service members and vets have until March 18 to file for ‘stop loss’ pay.

Oversight

OPM clarifies leave policies for feds

Employees who wish to head home during an emergency before their designated early departure time can ask for unscheduled leave or unscheduled telework.

Pay & Benefits

Domestic Dispute

The administration defends its decision not to extend health care benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees.

Defense

Court cases reaffirm law prohibiting discrimination against workers serving in the military

A federal employee and decorated war veteran could receive more than $500,000 in back pay and damages from the Postal Service.

Oversight

Watchdog: Postal Service proposals could undermine funding of retiree benefits

Potential changes also wouldn’t get USPS’ finances back in the black, OPM inspector general finds.

Pay & Benefits

Bargaining Chips

Federal employees seem in less danger than their state counterparts of having their collective bargaining rights curtailed -- at least in the current political environment.

Pay & Benefits

Pay is no guarantee for furloughed employees

In the event of a government shutdown, lawmakers have the final say over retroactive compensation.