CBO Also Cites Disadvantages, Though
However, CBO said, there are disadvantages to shedding military positions. Achieving the cost savings depends on cutting military end strength—an …More
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Last Chance for a While Coming for Action on Key Issues
Congress plans to work only through the end of next week before taking a summer recess made longer than usual …More
Postal, VA Proposals Also Questionable
House leaders on civil service issues had hoped to act before the recess on a bill to reform many USPS …More
Decisions on Buyouts, Veterans Preference Also Waiting
The major bill affecting personnel policies that is closest to enactment is the annual DoD authorization, which has passed both …More
OPM Confirmation Also Still Waiting
Beth Cobert will soon hit the one-year mark as acting OPM director, the longest such interim status for anyone in …More
Average Federal Salary Over $80K, but Median Lower
The average federal salary is now $81,578 while the median salary — the point where half are above and half …More
Differences within Workforce Highlighted
By agency, the SEC and the FDIC—both of which have special salary authorities due to the nature of their work—have …More
FSA Claims Blackout Period Reminder
The FSAFEDs flexible spending account program is transitioning to a new provider and during the month of August claims will …More
OPM to Try Again on Background Check Breach Notices
OPM has said it still hasn’t been able to reach 10 percent of those whose personal information was stolen from …More
Protections for VA Whistleblowers Advance, then Stall
The House has passed a funding bill enhancing protections for whistleblowers at the VA, bringing the first of many personnel …More
Those Who Retaliate Would Face Consequences
Also under the bill: management officials who retaliate against whistleblowers would be subject to mandatory discipline of at least a …More
Guard Against Hitting TSP Dollar Limit
The midpoint of the year is a good time for FERS employees to check to make sure they won’t lose …More
What Happens When Limit is Hit
If FERS investors hit the dollar cap before the last pay period of the year, their own investments will shut …More
‘Hold Harmless’ Medicare Premium Issue Could Arise Again
Based on the results so far in the inflation count, the Medicare program has projected that for 2017 a “hold …More
DoD to Start Phased Retirement
DoD has issued policies for phased retirement, joining what has up to now been a relatively sort list of mostly …More
Postal Plan Would Have Unknown Impact on FEHB
Bipartisan leaders in the House on civil service issues have produced a postal reform plan that if enacted would have …More
House Move Boosts Chances of Enactment
The House plan significantly increases chances of Congress acting on postal reform this year—it could advance through the committee stage …More
Senate Follows Suit on Allowing Default Raise
The Senate Appropriations Committee has passed a general government appropriations bill that neither sets nor prevents a federal employee raise …More
Measure Also Targets IRS, Contracting Out Policies
Like the House bill, the Senate measure also would bar the IRS from paying awards to its employees—or rehiring former …More
VA Decision on Discipline Could Stir Response
The VA’s decision to no longer enforce the portions of a 2014 law short-cutting appeals rights for SES members there …More
Legal Issue Could Steer Outcome of Reforms
With working time in the current Congress already running short, even VA officials have called for renewed attention to the …More
Differences on Buyouts, Other Issues Await Decisions
The Senate has joined the House in passing its own version (S-2943) of the annual DoD authorization bill, although the …More
DoD Restates Desire for Civilian Policy Changes
Separately, DoD Secretary Ashton Carter has reiterated the Pentagon’s desire for changes in civilian personnel policies, including “direct hire” authority …More
Most Employees Rated Highly, GAO Finds
Three-fifths of federal employees are rated as exceeding fully successful or outstanding, GAO has said in a review of 2013 …More
Ratings Vary by Grade, Occupational Field
The report, done for a Senate committee, also showed differences by occupation and grade level, which to an extent are …More
Raise by Default Continues to Advance
The House Appropriations Committee has approved the general government spending bill for the upcoming fiscal year that by silence regarding …More
Law Officer Weapons Carrying Bill Advances
The Senate has passed a measure (HR-2137) previously passed by the House to allow certain federal law enforcement officers the …More
Court Rules on Employee Duty to Follow Orders
Federal employees have a right to refuse to follow orders from management that would require them to break a law, …More
Approval Near in Senate on Buyout, Veterans Preference Changes
The Senate expects to finish voting this week on a DoD bill (S-2943) containing significant changes in several federal employee …More
White House Silent on Some Issues, Objects on Others
The Obama administration has issued a statement opposing several provisions of the bill, although the veterans preference changes were not …More
