No ‘Alternative’ Raise Recommendation Made
The White House did not use its authority to recommend an “alternative” federal pay raise by the August 31 deadline, …More
Fedweek
Sign up Now! Free eNewslettersExpert’s View: The Month-End Retirement Decision
There are always plenty of employees out there who are uncertain about the rules governing when to retire, writes benefits …More
Hard to Identify What’s Working
Without effective performance measurement data, especially data on program outcomes, “decision makers may have insufficient information to evaluate whether the …More
GAO Looks at Federal Building Security
Although agencies are trying to measure the effects of building security improvements they have put in place in recent years, …More
Key Provisions of Senate Version
Meanwhile the Senate version would: allow all agencies to pay the same allowances, benefits, and gratuities to personnel on official …More
Authorization Bill Not Yet Finalized
Congress also must address the annual DoD authorization bill (HR-5122); the House and Senate have passed versions that differ on …More
DoD Issues also Pending
Several issues involving DoD’s revisions in personnel policy, the national security personnel system, also are pending. The House’s DoD appropriations …More
DHS Personnel System Issue Pending
Both the House and Senate versions of the DHS funding bill restrict the amount of money that would be available …More
Other Restrictive Language Abounds
Other restrictions on contracting policy in the pending appropriations bills include: the House-passed Science-State-Justice Commerce bill (HR-5672), to prohibit carrying …More
Contracting-Out Also at Stake
Many of the appropriations bills in progress contain restrictions on the contracting-out program, what the Bush administration calls competitive sourcing. …More
Raise Still Could Move
Both the House and Senate versions of the Transportation-Treasury bill (HR-5536) contain a 2.7 percent raise for GS employees and …More
Full Plate, Short Timeframe for Congress
Congress returns from its summer recess next week to what is expected to be only about a four-week session before …More
COLA Count Up to 3.4
Through ten months of the countdown to the January 2007 retiree COLA, 3.4 percent has been accumulated, following a rise …More
More Leeway in Retiree FEHB Coverage Proposed
OPM has proposed to give itself more leeway in allowing retiring employees to keep their FEHB coverage when they don’t …More
Expert’s View: How Social Security Fits In
Expert’s View: How Social Security Fits In If you are thinking about retiring, you probably wonder how Social Security fits …More
New Initiative for Targeted Disabilities
Meanwhile, EEOC has announced a new initiative for creating greater opportunity in federal agencies for individuals with targeted disabilities – …More
Complaints Down, but Investigations Still Slow
The report also noted while the number of complaints in fiscal 2005 fell by about 5 percent, agencies regularly continue …More
EEOC Releases Data on Workforce
The EEOC has released a new statistical report on the demographic makeup of the federal workforce and discrimination complaints, noting …More
Dental-Vision Program Premiums also Coming
OPM also expects to make final contract awards at the end of this month and announce in September the premiums …More
FEHB Premium Announcement in Offing
New rates and coverage terms under the Federal Employees Health Benefits program also are typically announced in early September, in …More
Process Has Many Twists and Turns
The “alternative” raise figure is important mainly only if Congress fails to enact a figure before the raise is due …More
Another Raise Recommendation Could Be on Way
The White House has another opportunity coming to stake out its position on the January 2007 federal pay raise, since …More
Issues Surround FEHB Medical Records Bill
The House federal workforce subcommittee is considering a proposal to increase electronic record keeping in the FEHB program. For questions …More
Whistleblower Change Urged
Several House members active in civil service issues have asked House negotiators in a conference on the Defense Department fiscal …More
Expert’s View: Disputed Claims
OPM has a process for resolving disputed health insurance claims that in general works well, writes benefits expert Reg Jones. …More
No Word on 2007 Limits Yet
Although some investors have begun asking about the 2007 investment limits already, that figure won’t be known until late October. …More
What Happens When Cap is Hit
If FERS investors hit the dollar cap before the last pay period of the year, their contributions will shut off …More
Guard Against Hitting TSP Dollar Cap
This time of year is a good point for higher-paid FERS employees to check to make sure they won’t lose …More
Other Progress Underscored
According to a statement accompanying the latest President’s Management Agenda evaluations, 73 percent of agencies have closed critical talent gaps …More
OPM Touts Progress on Personnel Issues
OPM says that departments are making progress toward improving their personnel programs in key areas measured by the President’s Management …More
