Changes in Special Rate Program Possible
OPM has told agencies to review the "special rate" pay they grant in certain occupations and locations, an annual process …More
Fedweek
Sign up Now! Free eNewslettersCOLA Count in Rarefied Air
Three-quarters of the way through the counting period toward the January 2009 federal retiree COLA, the indicated adjustment stands at …More
Springer Leaving OPM
Linda Springer, director of OPM since June 2005, will leave that position in August to take a job with the …More
Expert’s View: Changes in Retirement Benefits
Over time, the government has changed several key elements of the federal retirement program, including the number of years of …More
OPM Promotes Volunteerism
OPM recently issued a memo encouraging employees and their families, as applicable to consider extending their stay when on official …More
Shortages of Officers Highlighted
Meanwhile, data presented at a Senate hearing on the foreign service showed that there is a shortage of more than …More
Foreign Service Pay Bill Moves
The House Foreign Affairs Committee has passed a measure of long-running interest to foreign service officers, HR-3202, that would keep …More
New Investment Options Possible
In addition, the measure authorizes creation of a Roth option in the program, in which money goes in after-tax but …More
TSP Changes Clear Committee
Several changes to the TSP including the possibility of more investment funds would be authorized under legislation (HR-6500) passed by …More
OPM Urges Telework, Alternative Schedules
OPM has sent a memo to agencies urging them to use various personnel flexibilities to help their employees cope with …More
FAA Faces Hiring Challenge, Report Says
GAO has reported that the FAA faces hiring, training and other challenges related to its air traffic control workforce, in …More
Another Potential Preference Opposed
Meanwhile, OPM has told a House federal workforce subcommittee hearing that it does not believe a new special appointing authority …More
New Hiring Preference Sought
DoD also has asked Congress to create a new noncompetitive hiring authority into competitive service federal jobs for spouses of …More
DoD Requests Personnel Changes
The Pentagon has asked Congress for authority to make several changes in personnel policies, including a simplified and faster method …More
Process May Be Cut Short
Leaders of both the House and Senate have said recently that they don’t expect Congress to enact more than possibly …More
Spending Bills Have Personnel, Contracting Provisions
The Senate panel also has approved the Commerce-Justice-Science spending bill (S-3182), which urges EEOC to act more quickly in filling …More
3.9 Percent Raise Advances in Senate
The Senate Appropriations Committee has backed a 3.9 percent average general schedule raise in January, following the lead of its …More
Federal Legal Corner: Complainant’s Role in EEO Investigation–Part 1
Once a complainant files a formal discrimination complaint and the agency accepts at least one claim for investigation, the EEOC …More
TSP Funds Swoon in June
All but the most conservative of TSP funds suffered losses in June, with the large company stock C fund down …More
Foreign Service Pay Changes Requested
Foreign service employees who switch to overseas postings from the Washington, D.C. area
Guidance Issued on New FEGLI Provision
OPM has issued guidance on a new FEGLI policy allowing federal employees who are mobilized for active military duty to …More
Expert’s View: Earning and Using Sick Leave
Unlike annual leave, sick leave is often approved after the fact rather than scheduled in advance, writes benefits expert Reg …More
Several Bills Advance
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee has approved several bills including: S-3013, which would phase out “nonforeign area” …More
New Group to Oversee Policy
The order creates a new Suitability and Security Clearance Performance Accountability Council, headed by OMB and containing agency representatives, that …More
Greater Consistency in Clearances Sought
President Bush has issued an executive order that seeks to address one of the long-standing bottlenecks in the clearance process, …More
DoD Bill Also Pending
While the House has passed a DoD authorization bill that contains numerous policy changes affecting DoD employees, including a three-year …More
Key Bills Ready for Votes
Congress has returned from its July 4 recess and plans to work through the first week of August before recessing …More
Expert’s View: Converting Annual Leave into Cash
While most employees use a large part of the leave they earn each year, those who are getting close to …More
Transition: Who Stays, Who Goes
OPM has put out a guide to presidential transition periods that includes information regarding which jobs are subject to turnover …More
Mileage Rate May Increase
The rate at which the government reimburses employees for using personal vehicles for traveling on official business may increase soon …More
