Defense
Ending COVID-Vax Mandate Would Divide Troops into Two Classes, Navy Secretary Says
The military would consist of “those that can’t deploy and those that can deploy. And that creates all sorts of problems,” Carlos Del Toro told lawmakers.
Oversight
GovExec Daily: Vacancies, Inspectors General and Oversight at the Pentagon
Courtney Bublé joins the podcast to discuss the newly-confirmed Defense Department inspector general.
Management
Lawmaker Accuses USPS Employees of Stealing $20K in Campaign Contributions
Various postal entities are probing the matter, but have yet to find evidence of employee involvement.
Management
The Bureau of Indian Affairs and FBI Are Trying to Be Better Law Enforcement Partners
A new agreement bolsters information sharing, defines roles and more.
Management
For Federal Customer Service to Work, Congress, the White House and Agencies Need 'Fundamental' Change, Report Says
A new report from the Partnership for Public Service and Accenture Federal Services outlines the systemic barriers to customer experience, and the collaboration between Congress and the executive branch needed to address them.
Tech
TSA Wants to Automate ID Verification at Checkpoint Security
The agency is testing using facial recognition to verify passengers’ information with the information on record.
Employee Policy
Union and EEOC settle over agency failure to negotiate office reentry
The deal requires health and safety inspections of all EEOC work sites, reduces the number of days employees must report to their offices to three per pay period, and opens the door to negotiating a remote work policy for employees.
Employee Policy
Feds to allow HIV-positive people to serve in public health roles
The change is attributable to advances in treatment, officials say.
Nextgov
Report: Governments Behind Private Sector in Customer, Employee Experience
Governments have improved their digital transformation efforts, but much work remains.
Workforce
Much of the CDC Is Working Remotely. That Could Make Changing the Agency Difficult.
Like many U.S. workplaces, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention went remote during the pandemic. Most of the agency’s staff members haven’t returned to the office full time, raising concerns about the CDC’s ability to reform itself after recent stumbles.
Management
GovExec Daily: Learning from Elon Musk's Twitter Management Mistakes
TalenTrust's Kathleen Quinn Votaw joins the podcast to discuss leadership lessons from the Twitter takeover.
Management
A New Law Requires Agencies to Better Prepare for Natural Disasters
Supporters say the law is more important than ever given the growing frequency and severity of storms.
Employee Policy
Holiday parties in the age of COVID-19
Labor and employment attorney Michael Schmidt joins the podcast to discuss the ways organizations can stay safe while celebrating.
Oversight
The Defense Department Finally Has a Permanent Watchdog
“I shall continue to be true to the principle of nonpartisanship that is a hallmark of the IG system,” Robert Storch said during his confirmation hearing.
TSP
TSP funds up for a second straight month
Every fund in the federal government’s 401(k) style retirement plan saw gains in November, but most still remain in the negative for the year.
Pay & Benefits
OPM Will Suspend Long Term Care Insurance Applications as a Sizeable Premium Increase Looms
The deadline to apply for the program before a two-year suspension is Dec. 19, but officials want applicants to go in with “eyes wide open” that rates will likely increase substantially.
Defense
Austin Urges Congress to Pass a Budget, Citing China Threat
But the secretary left inflation, supply chain, and worker woes out of his speech to the Reagan National Defense Forum.
Employee Policy
Biden admin. to let agencies appoint some employees to 10-year temporary jobs
The rule finalizes a proposal first put forward by the Trump administration.
Employee Policy
Recruiting crisis? Not at Space Force
The youngest and smallest service says it pays to be both choosy and inclusive.
Defense