Workforce

Coronavirus Roundup: A New Calculator Helps You Figure Out What to Do After a COVID-19 Exposure

There’s a lot to keep track of. Here’s a list of this week’s news updates and stories you may have missed.

Defense

Inflation Is the New Sequestration

Congress must shore up the Pentagon’s eroded buying power.

Tech

When Will You Know the Pandemic Is Over?

How will we know when the COVID-19 pandemic is at an end? Will we live with the virus forever? What happens next? Experts have some answers for you.

Management

Making the Case for a Federal Management Corps

The challenges facing the Veteran Benefits Administration may make it a good place to test a Management Corps.

Tech

GovExec Daily: Security Clearances and Ukraine

Federal employment attorney Dan Meyer joins the podcast to talk about what cleared individuals should keep in mind while supporting Ukrainians.

Nextgov

Google Surveys Federal Employees in Fight with Microsoft for Government Market

The survey report tried to associate heavy reliance on Microsoft’s products with greater susceptibility to cyberattacks.

Management

OPM’s Goals for the Next 18 Months: Hire, Hire, Hire

The federal government’s human resources agency released a new strategic plan this week aimed at transforming the agency into a leader in governmental human capital management.

Pay & Benefits

These Agencies Are Trying To Get Better at Providing Retirement Services

Three key organizations are working to improve the customer experience of federal employees and retirees.

Management

Federal Agencies Are Taking Steps to Make Benefits and Services More Transgender Inclusive

The Biden administration announced it will provide more options for gender identity on benefit applications and travel documentation, among other things. 

Management

Biden's USPS Nominees Pledge to Reexamine Key DeJoy Initiatives

Nominees' confirmation would give Biden appointees a majority of the Senate-confirmed seats on the Postal Service board.

Tech

Senators Call for Ban on US Government Personnel Use of Chinese Ride-Sharing Apps

A pair of lawmakers want the departments of State and Defense to enact a global prohibition on U.S. diplomatic and military personnel from using digital transportation platforms like Didi Chuxing, a Chinese-based ride-sharing service growing in popularity around the world.

Defense

Confederate Names and Symbols on Hundreds of Military Roads, Structures, Ships Under Review

Congress’ Naming Commission has revealed what else besides base names may get relabeled or removed—right down to a water tank.

Management

Even after Lockdowns Eased, Pandemic Depression Persisted across Social Classes

A new study finds that adults in the U.S. reported the same levels of depression a year into the pandemic as they did at the outset.

Tech

Pentagon’s Effort to Supply Departmentwide Cloud Capabilities is Delayed, Again

Officials say they essentially underestimated how long it would take to review plans from the four cloud service providers.

Tech

The Labor Department Seeks $3.4B for Unemployment Insurance Programs, Including IT Modernization

The increase in unemployment funding would include $150 million for program integrity efforts including identity verification services for states.

Management

DHS Prepares to Deploy Its Staff and Other Feds to the Border

The Biden administration says an increase in immigrants seeking entry into the country is likely after a pandemic policy is lifted.

Management

Some Labor Authority and TSP Nominations Are Delayed After a Deadlocked Committee Vote

Although most of the nominees sailed through by voice vote, three of Biden’s key picks to govern federal labor relations and the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program were deadlocked in party-line votes.

Nextgov

Why Biden's Proposed Investment in Space Object Surveillance is a Big Deal

Space policy and technology experts weighed in on the nearly 800% increase for the Office of Space Commerce included in the FY2023 budget request.