Pay & Benefits
Focusing on the pay gap undermines the commitment to equity
COMMENTARY | The pay gap, as the Office of Personnel Management has defined it, is an artificial number comparing the average pay of men and women. This comparison pits men and women against each other, argues one observer.
Workforce
Partnership for Public Service offers an alternative to “burning down” the civil service
The good government group traditionally has taken great pains to avoid partisan politics, but has become more outspoken since former President Trump unveiled Schedule F.
Workforce
‘Bee doctors’ work to prevent colony collapse nets public service award
The work of two scientists from the Agriculture Department’s Agricultural Research Service to find new methods to diagnose and treat pathogens affecting bee health helped earn them the Service to America’s People’s Choice Award
Management
A pair of new bills aim to reshape the Secret Service
Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., penned new legislation to shift the agency’s jurisdiction for investigating financial crimes and alter how it designates its protective perimeter in the wake of the Trump assassination attempt.
Management
USDA to take ‘additional step’ in testing beef from former dairy cattle for bird flu
The undersecretary for food safety at the USDA said Tuesday that the new testing program follows three studies undertaken during the spring and summer that all found beef in the nation’s food supply is safe to eat.
Tech
IRS is flying blind without plans to modernize legacy tech, watchdog says
This isn’t the first time the IRS has been called out by oversight officials for a lack of detailed technology planning.
Pay & Benefits
How to decide if Medicare Part D is right for you
Although most federal annuitants might benefit from keeping Part D, there are three instances where you could benefit from opting out.
Tech
DARPA edges closer to using AI to expose cyber vulnerabilities
Next year, seven teams will compete to polish off a best-case model that meshes AI and cybersecurity to detect and fix open-source vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure.
Updated
Management
Customs and Border Protection settles a $45M lawsuit alleging discrimination against pregnant employees
Plaintiffs said the agency required them to enter temporary light duty status after becoming pregnant, as opposed to giving them the option.
Workforce
Teleworking feds are spending 60% of their time working in person, OMB says
In a congressionally mandated report, the Office of Management and Budget rebuffed many common complaints by congressional Republicans about the popular workplace flexibility.
Management
Lack of timeframes and follow-ups led Social Security to delay some priority disability applications
An inspector general’s audit found that while the agency identified and processed 96% of the priority cases reviewed, a slice of applications slipped past monitoring, leading to longer wait times.
Tech
VA launches a new platform to help veterans identify and report scams
Scammers have increasingly targeted veterans and their beneficiaries, particularly after the PACT Act expanded benefits and health services for retired service members.
Management
Leaked Project 2025 training videos warn aspiring political appointees of ‘persecution’ by career feds
Though the videos don’t overtly discuss the Trump campaign or the Heritage Foundation-led transition project’s endorsement of Schedule F, conservatives repeatedly stressed the need for more “political control” of agencies.
Management
EEOC workers could be furloughed for one day due to budget shortfall
No additional funding and a high pay increase for federal employees helped create the agency’s financial conundrum.
Pay & Benefits
Soon feds may be able to file health insurance claims online
A new Biden administration initiative to crack down on “unnecessary headaches” for consumers will include plans for employees on the Federal Employees Health Benefits and Postal Service Health Benefits plans to submit out-of-network claims online, alongside other updates.
Defense
More than 1 million veterans receiving benefits via PACT Act ahead of anniversary
Since the law – known as the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act or the PACT Act – took effect nearly two years ago, the VA says that 739,421 veterans have enrolled in its health care programs.
Defense
Former NSA chief wants academia to play larger role in national security
Paul Nakasone is pushing for new initiatives to bolster national security research and workforce recruitment. It begins with a new institute at Vanderbilt University next month.
Management
The Good Government Agenda for 2025 and beyond
COMMENTARY | A good presidential Management Agenda is, well, good. But a Good Government Agenda might be better.
News
Congress aims to boost enforcement at the border – with Canada
New Senate legislation aims to hire more U.S. Border Patrol agents to help monitor understaffed areas on the Canadian border.
Workforce