Career Intern Policies Finalized
The Office of Personnel Management has published final rules governing the Federal Career Intern program, a special hiring and career …More
Fedweek
Sign up Now! Free eNewslettersGuidance Issued on Health Benefits for Mobilized Employees
The Office of Personnel Management has issued guidance to agencies on carrying out authority contained in last year’s Defense Department …More
FEHB ‘Underserved’ Areas Redefined
The Office of Personnel Management has added Arizona and West Virginia to the list of “medically underserved” areas for Federal …More
Restriction on Some Contracting Out Signed
President Bush has signed into law (P.L. 109-54) an appropriations bill that limits contracting out studies by the Interior Department …More
Expert’s View: Sick Leave FERS-Style
As more and more of FERS employees approach retirement, they’re beginning to ask an important question: “Why can’t my unused …More
Standard ‘Competencies’ Eyed
The Defense Department is considering using standard performance factors, also called “competencies” for white-collar workforce performance assessments that will be …More
GAO Sees Challenges Ahead for DoD
Many challenges remain for the Defense Department in carrying out its national security personnel system, the Government Accountability Office has …More
Decision Weighs Back Pay Act, USERRA
In its decision, the MSPB weighed the role the Back Pay Act, USERRA and other laws play in back pay …More
Decision Could Boost Reservist Back Pay Claims
Federal employees in the Guard or Reserves and who were shortchanged on military leave under a policy in effect up …More
Data Could Renew Compensation Debate
Although the GAO report (GAO-05-798) focused mainly on the gaps between perception and reality among uniformed personnel regarding the value …More
GAO Assesses Value of Benefits
The benefits that come with federal employment typically are worth about half of an individual’s salary, a higher percentage than …More
Transit Subsidy Improvements Pass
A transportation bill awaiting President Bush’s signature (HR-3) would put into law an executive order generally requiring facilities in the …More
S Fund Leads Way in July
The small and mid-sized U.S. stock (S) fund led the returns of the Thrift Savings Plan in July, posting a …More
Senate Backs DHS Contracting Restrictions
The Senate-passed version of an appropriations bill covering the Department of Homeland Security (HR-2360) follows the House’s lead in barring …More
Expert’s View: An Annuity’s Value
A federal retirement annuity is the gift that keeps on giving, writes benefits expert Reg Jones. “Because it’s based on …More
Administration’s Justification for Reform Proposal
The Bush administration has published a document laying out its justification for proposing civil service reforms, in many cases repeating …More
Some Union Rights Also Affected
One area where the proposed government-wide policy would depart from the DoD/DHS model involves union rights. Unlike at those agencies, …More
Appeal Rights Also at Stake
Also following the lead of the authorities at those two departments, the draft legislation would raise the standard of proof …More
Designing Performance System a Key
Under the Bush administration’s proposed government-wide civil service reform, the Office of Personnel Management would act as a “gatekeeper” to …More
Defense Bill Also Among Top Priorities
Another key measure still awaiting Senate action is the annual Defense Department authorization bill that sets numerous personnel policies at …More
Raise, Other Issues Still Waiting
Congress has effectively put off until the fall a final decision on the January 2006 federal pay raise, since the …More
Congress Leaves Much to Work on in Fall
Congress has gone on a recess through August, leaving several important bills unfinished and facing the prospects of new demands …More
Long-Running Saga Coming to End
The final payments, from the remaining $78 million in the settlement fund, end a saga that started with a lawsuit …More
OPM Memo on Emergencies
The Office of Personnel Management has issued a memo to agencies reminding them of the special personnel authorities available for …More
COLA Count Up a Bit
The consumer price index on which federal retirement cost-of-living adjustments are based increased 0.1 percentage points in June, bringing the …More
Expert’s View: Getting a Refund
If you leave government before being eligible to retire, you could take a refund of your contributions, writes benefits expert …More
Several Possible Additions Considered
Meanwhile the base closing commission has added to the list of facilities being considered for closing the Brunswick Naval Air …More
Contracting Provision also Opposed
In its statement, the White House said it also would oppose any amendment to prohibit bidders in contracting out studies …More
White House Opposes Base Closing, Other Restrictions
The Bush administration has issued a policy statement opposing several proposed amendments to the annual Defense Department authorization bill (S-1042) …More
Senate Following Lead on Raise
The Senate this week could vote on its version of the Transportation-Treasury spending bill (HR-3058) that like the House version …More
