Author Archive
Oversight
GSA aims to make agency websites more user-friendly
Program uses inexpensive testing methods to identify the most serious problems with federal sites.
- Norah Swanson
Defense
Volunteers give back to service members this holiday season
Many nonprofits offer alternative gift-giving ideas that support the troops.
- Norah Swanson
Pay & Benefits
Congress passes bill allowing military families and retirees to keep their doctors
The bill would prevent a 25 percent cut to payments for physicians participating in the Medicare and TRICARE programs.
- Norah Swanson
Pay & Benefits
Washington reacts to Obama’s federal pay freeze
Feedback from players on both sides of the pay debate.
- Norah Swanson
Oversight
OMB releases preliminary guidance on plain writing
Memo defines plain language and details steps for complying with new legislation.
- Norah Swanson
Oversight
Awards honor plain language and condemn jargon
Advocacy group now is accepting nominations for the best and worst examples of clear communication.
- Norah Swanson
Pay & Benefits
Board to revisit more aggressive default funds for TSP participants
Chairman says indecisive investors could benefit from having their money in life-cycle funds rather than in government securities.
- Norah Swanson
News
Veterans learn the power of the pen
Poet Jehanne Dubrow shows how creative writing can be therapeutic for those involved with war.
- Norah Swanson
Oversight
Watchdog calls for reform of Justice travel policies
Review of U.S. attorneys’ expenses finds inconsistent policies and poor oversight are partially to blame for abuses.
- Norah Swanson
Pay & Benefits
National labor-management council spars over telework
Differences center on whether group will approach the mobile setup as a way to stay productive during emergencies, or as a broader workplace policy.
- Norah Swanson
Oversight
Most Washington-area incumbents coast to victory
But tight race between telework advocate and local businessman in Northern Virginia appears headed for a recount.
- Charles S. Clark and Norah Swanson
Defense
Problem-solving requires cooperation, says retired Adm. Thad Allen
Team work and coordination among agencies drive success in government, according to administration’s point man on oil spill cleanup.
- Norah Swanson
Pay & Benefits
OPM holds disability employment training
Event highlights resources at hiring officials’ disposal as they seek to implement a July presidential directive.
- Norah Swanson
Oversight
Appeals court suspends judge’s order on ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’
Court temporarily puts on hold judge’s decision to repeal ban on gays openly serving in the military.
- Norah Swanson
Oversight
Cemetery employees will receive job training
Career development program for workers is the first formal training of its kind for Arlington National Cemetery staff.
- Norah Swanson
Defense
GAO: Defense domestic violence tracking remains flawed
Audit finds the Pentagon’s system for collecting data on abuse in military families hinders department’s ability to analyze trends.
- Norah Swanson
Defense
Memorial fund breaks ground on law enforcement museum
Building will be underground and use technology to create a highly interactive experience for visitors.
- Norah Swanson
Defense
Survey: Pay and benefits remain an issue for military families
Respondents say long deployments and worries about children and finances are main challenges facing service members.
- Norah Swanson
Oversight
Unions to managers: Give employees a bigger voice in decisions
Agencies are underutilizing a process for getting employees involved early in choices that affect their daily work, labor representatives tell council.
- Norah Swanson
Defense
Supreme Court will weigh in on NASA contractor dispute
Case involving privacy rights of California scientists could have significant impact on process of background checks.
- Norah Swanson