Momentum for Changes Continues
There remains a general expectation that any changes in policies at VA would set a precedent for wider application across …More
Fedweek
Sign up Now! Free eNewslettersGS System Gets Mixed Review
The GS system received mixed reviews at a House hearing this week, where familiar criticisms and defenses were raised. Critics, …More
Expert’s View: Part-time Employment and Annuities
If you have any part-time service in your work history, your retirement benefit will be pro-rated according to a formula …More
OPM, OMB Outline Personnel Initiatives
Both OPM and OMB recently released statements on administration personnel initiatives, focusing on issues such as employee engagement, hiring and …More
Several Bills Progress, Others Introduced
The House has approved HR-4193, which would change the default investment fund for employees hired in the future who do …More
Locality Pay System Appears Unchanging
A high-level administration advisory group again has backed the idea of creating 12 new GS locality areas—which would boost the …More
Lengthy Process Would be Needed
Adding new localities would require a rule-making process involving issues of drawing boundary lines and the treatment of areas currently …More
Dissatisfaction with Pay System Comes Through
The Pay Agent had this to say about the pay comparisons that underlie the locality pay system: “as has been …More
VA Scandal Produces More Fallout
Newly introduced bipartisan legislation in the Senate would “claw back” awards VA paid out since 2011 to employees who are …More
Some May Need to Update TSP Beneficiary Forms
Long-time TSP participants may want to check the status of their beneficiary designations and potentially file new designations, due to …More
Impatience Growing on Phased Retirement
Separate letters from House members of both parties have urged OPM to finish work on phased retirement policies, which the …More
Expert’s View: Getting Vested for Retirement
You have to have five years of actual service to be vested in the retirement system, writes benefits expert Reg …More
Agencies Reminded of Emergency Procedures
OPM recently reminded agencies of workplace policies and special authorities, including expanded telework, special charitable solicitations and hiring shortcuts available …More
Capitol Hill Working Time Already Running Short
Congress will return next week from its current one-week recess with plans to work four straight weeks, then be off …More
Changes at VA Still Pending
Among the more immediate tasks for Congress is working out the differences between VA reform bills that passed both chambers …More
Spending Measure Targets Workplace Issues
The general government spending bill cleared by the House Appropriations Committee contains language reflecting recent proposals on employee performance awards, …More
Senate Panel Advances Several Bills
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee has approved S-1691, a bill to overhaul “administratively uncontrollable overtime” at the …More
MSPB Facing Growing Workload
MSPB’s recent annual report noted that even if there are no more of sequestration furloughs—and there’s no guarantee there won’t …More
More Attention to Building Security Sought
GAO recently testified regarding the long-standing issue of security in buildings where federal employees work, pointing out that it has …More
More Flexibilities in Work Ordered
President Obama on Monday issued a memo telling agencies to boost “to the maximum extent practicable” their use of flexible …More
Leave, Other Programs Also Targeted
In addition to the major flexible work scheduling practices, the memo also orders agencies to make the most practical use …More
Key Bill Leaves Room for Raise
Both the House and Senate versions of a key spending bill leave room for a federal employee raise in January …More
VA Changes Still in Progress
Congress continues to work on several largely similar proposals passed by the House and Senate affecting appeal rights and performance …More
OPM Summarizes Recruitment, Retention Flexibilities
OPM recently prepared a fact sheet on the various flexibilities agencies may use as recruiting and retention tools. For a …More
Fallout of DOMA Case Continues
Tomorrow is the one-year anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision overturning the Defense of Marriage Act’s provision defining marriage, for …More
Several New Rules Published
Meanwhile, OPM published proposed rules in the June 23 Federal Register to formalize a policy, set by a memo issued …More
Expert’s View: What CSRS Offset Is All About
The numbers of CSRS Offset employees are small and getting smaller each year, writes benefits expert Reg Jones. However, if …More
Restrictions on VA Appeals Seem Certain
Congress could give final approval soon to new restrictions on appeal rights and performance policies at VA, with the House …More
Performance Awards Also Targeted
The Senate VA reform bill further would bar use of measures such as appointment scheduling goals in performance evaluations for …More
Concerns Arise Regarding Erosion of Rights
While the truncated appeals process for VA SES members likely would affect relatively few people, employee organizations are concerned about …More
