Court Backs MSPB Refusal to Second-Guess Agency on Budget
A federal appeals court has backed MSPB’s refusal to second-guess an agency’s budget decisions in the 2013 sequester furloughs in …More
Federal Manager’s Daily Report
Sign up Now! Free eNewslettersGPO Updates Official Government Writing Style
The GPO has issued the first update since 2008 of its Style Manual, the guide to the style and form …More
HR Shortcomings Hamper VA, Report Says
Skills gaps and inadequate training in the HR offices of Veterans Health Administration medical centers are hampering the VA’s ability …More
Mixed Results Found for Veterans Hiring Initiative
The Veterans Employment Initiative, one of the Obama administration’s major hiring initiatives for the federal workforce, produced mixed results that …More
Impartiality Rule Goes Beyond Conflict of Interest Ban, Says OGE
The latest in a series of summaries of key ethical requirements for federal employees from the Office of Government Ethics …More
DoD Still Incurring Major Base Closing Costs, Says GAO
In a report that could further undercut the already weak support in Congress for an additional round of DoD base …More
OGE Points to Rules against Misuse of Position
The Office of Government Ethics has called attention to rules against misuse of position, the latest in a series of …More
Navy CIO Stresses Computer Security at Work, Home
The Navy CIO’s office has posted advice to Navy employees that would be equally applicable to all agencies regarding security …More
DoD Raises Importance of Performance in RIF Retention
DoD has finalized a policy, ordered in a budget bill enacted in late 2015, making performance the first determinant of …More
DoD Calls Change in RIF Policies Substantial
The change in RIF procedures at DoD to make performance the most important determinant of retention “is a substantial change …More
Maneuvering Under Way on Hiring Freeze
With the Trump administration has somewhat clarified implications of the general hiring freeze ordered Monday but has not addressed all …More
OSC Stresses Anti-Gag Order Protections
The Office of Special Counsel has called attention to a provision in the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012 regarding …More
Trump Plans Regular Visits to Agencies
Within his first week in office, President Trump has visited both the CIA and DHS, the start of what a …More
Following Merit Principles Key to Managing Workforce, Says MSPB
MSPB has issued a guide to the merit system principles designed to help managers “understand the values and requirements of …More
MSPB Spells Out Personnel Actions to Take, Avoid
The new MSPB guidance on applying the merit system principles and the restrictions on prohibited personnel practices in the federal …More
MSPB Stresses Up-Front Attention to Potential Ethical Problems
The MSPB guidance on merit system principles says that one of them—that “all employees should maintain high standards of integrity, …More
Hiring Freeze Memo Leaves Some Wiggle Room
President Trump’s memo imposing a general federal hiring freeze differs somewhat from the terms of the freeze he had previewed …More
HHS, Labor, CFPB Rated Tops in Plain Writing
The Center for Plain Language has awarded the highest possible grade, an A+ to HHS, Labor and the Consumer Financial …More
Congress Backs Added GAO Powers, Fellowship Program
The Senate has joined the House in passing HR-72, to strengthen GAO’s powers by authorizing it to obtain records it …More
Rules Issued on Sharing of Hiring Certificates
OPM has issued interim rules carrying out a change in law to allow an agency to share a competitive certificate …More
Guidance Issued on Certain Noncompetitive Appointments
OPM has sent agencies guidance on carrying out several Obama administration memos providing for noncompetitive appointment in the competitive service …More
Policies on Medical Qualifications Revised
OPM has issued final rules–ending a process that began with a proposal in 2008–on medical qualifications applying to certain federal …More
OPM, EEOC Re-emphasize Hispanic Employment Push
OPM and EEOC have issued a joint memo calling agencies’ attention again to the “persistent low representation of Hispanic/Latinos in …More
OPM Chief Issues Parting Message to Workforce
In a parting message to OPM employees, acting director Beth Cobert said that while her future plans are uncertain, “Wherever …More
Order Revamps Suitability, Clearance Policies
President Obama’s last executive order updated and revised numerous policies affecting determinations regarding suitability for federal employment and security clearances. …More
DoE Sets Policy on Employee Rights to Discuss Research
The Energy Department set policies on the freedom of its employees to speak publicly about their research, an issue that …More
Land and Waterway Agencies Told to Emphasize Diversity
As one of his last directives regarding the federal workforce, President Obama has issued a memo designed to increase diversity …More
Steps for Increasing Diversity Specified
President Obama’s memo on increasing diversity in the workforces of public lands agencies requires they take steps including: Better understanding …More
OPM Issues Guide to Performance, Disciplinary Practices
OPM has issued a guide to how agencies can address under-performing or misbehaving employees, saying that “managers and supervisors may …More
OPM Stresses Role of Probationary Period
The OPM guidance on addressing performance and conduct in the workplace says that “effective use of the probationary period is …More
