Employee Policy
NWS says hiring freeze 'dangerous'
The National Weather Service Employees Organization said that financial data the group obtained during arbitration this month over unfilled vacancies shows that a hiring freeze implemented in March 2013 was not necessary.
Pay
Insight by Mike Causey: On the money
What's the connection between the first man on the Moon and what some would say is the astronomical pay gap between people who work for the government and those who don't? And why is it that many ordinary Americans seem to believe federal workers are riding the ultimate gravy train?
Employee Policy
Legal Matters: Federal government pushes for, against service members
While the administration is strongly pushing for veterans to join the federal government, agencies seem to be pushing for them much less once they get in it.
Retirement
Informed Investor: Employees retiring in 2014 should be aware of Social Security 'earnings test'
Employees retiring during 2014 and who plan to immediately start receiving their Social Security retirement benefits need to be aware of the Social Security “earnings test.” This week’s column discusses how the earnings test affects Social Security recipients younger than full retirement age and who have “earned income,” which includes salary and self-employment income.
Employee Policy
Military recruiting looks tougher in years ahead
Defense Department officials told a House lawmakers last week that the military services are making their recruiting goals for now, but that challenges lie ahead.
Pay
FEW publishes annual 'report card' for Congress
A federal employee group that grades members of Congress on how consistently they support the interests of federal employees—women feds in particular—said its voting scorecard for the first session of the 113th Congress shows a rising number of perfect and high scores—but also a soaring number of "zero" scores.
Retirement
Federal Benefits Q&A
Question: I am a retired FERS Law Enforcement Officer who retired at age 56. I reviewed my Social Security statement online and it states that I will receive X dollars monthly if I draw at age 62. Since I retired at age 56 and do not plan on earning income in retirement, how will that affect my SS monthly payment at age 62?
Employee Policy
Public-private effort pools resources to measure telework gains
Federal employees who telework are saving the government money—and new a white paper co-sponsored by a leading telework advocacy group aims to help agencies more accurately measure those financial benefits as they design and implement telework programs.
Employee Policy
Federal employment declines
December numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that federal employment receded by nearly 80,000 positions between December 2012 and December 2013.
Financial Planning
Special Feature: Informed Investor celebrates 500th column
This week, FEND published the 500th installment of Edward A. Zurndorfer's Informed Investor column. Since 2004, Informed Investor has been educating FEND readers on a wide range of subjects related to federal employee benefits and financial planning. On this anniversary, we took the opportunity to ask Ed some questions about himself and about the changes he's observed in the federal workplace over the past 10 years.
Management
After Disclosing Employee Salaries, Buffer Was Inundated With Resumes
Buffer, a social media company, lets everyone know how its salary pie is divided.
Nextgov
Hackers Lift F-35 Plans, Infiltrate FBI Press Office
Just another week in ThreatWatch, our regularly updated index of noteworthy data breaches.
Management
Postal Service Delays New Wave of Mail Processing Closures
Decision maintains current delivery standards, potentially avoiding more workforce reductions.
Oversight
Senator Seeks Special Prosecutor on IRS Controversy
Letter asks attorney general to “preserve the integrity” of Justice Department.
Pay & Benefits
USPS Ends Pay Freeze for Nonunion Employees
1 percent pay raise will apply mostly to supervisors and managers.
Oversight
State Department Faulted for Lax Oversight of Afghanistan Justice Contract
Special inspector general says $223 million program may not be sustainable.
Management
The Long Path to the Top for a Gay Federal Executive
John Berry's career is a key chapter in the story of what it has meant to be gay in government.
Nextgov