Workforce
Judge grills administration on ‘broad discretion’ to break up federal unions
A Justice Department attorney appeared to argue that it is within the president’s rights to strip ‘resistant’ unions of their collective bargaining rights under the auspices of national security.
Management
The concern over enforcing the Federal Clery Act without the U.S. Department of Education
COMMENTARY | Dismantling the Department of Education is a multi-faceted challenge with potentially dire consequences for public safety in our universities.
Management
Ousted independent agency leaders detail how they’re fighting their firings
President Donald Trump has sought to exert more influence over independent agencies, which are supposed to be led by members of both parties and have some degree of separation from the White House.
Pay & Benefits
New rule would change the reamortized debt formula for Thrift Savings Plan loans
A proposed rule from the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board could recalculate how federal employees repay accrued interest on loans from the government’s 401(k)-style retirement plan.
Workforce
Dudek calls for entire SSA offices to be converted to new Schedule F
The planned conversions, intended for federal workers in policy-related positions, affect employees making as little as $40,000 per year.
Workforce
Judge orders Trump administration to bring back U.S. Agency for Global Media staff
The president in an executive order sought to eliminate the agency’s non-statutory components and functions, but a federal judge criticized how officials determined what parts of USAGM aren't required by law.
News
Transgender troops ban, nationwide freeze argued in U.S. appeals court
The Trump administration's ban on transgender service members faced further judicial scrutiny in front of a panel of judges Tuesday ahead of a potential appeal to the Supreme Court.
Workforce
Trump laid off nearly all the federal workers who investigate firefighter deaths
At least two-thirds of the employees at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health were notified on April 1 that they had been laid off or will be in June. That includes almost all of the Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program.
Updated
Management
State to slash 15% of domestic staff, eliminate 132 offices
Layoffs expected by July 1, though embassy and overseas closures are not yet part of the plan
Workforce
Trump administration lacks standing to sue to enforce anti-labor executive order, union says
The American Federation of Government Employees argued that the Trump administration’s effort to procure a “declarative” judgment in favor of an executive order stripping two-thirds of the federal workforce of their collective bargaining rights is effectively fishing for a federal judge’s advisory opinion, which is unlawful.
Tech
SSA is rolling out a new chatbot for employees
The agency has said that it intends to use technology and AI to make up for workforce cuts.
Management
There’s no more DEI at DOD, watchdog finds
But most of the roles were eliminated last year by an act of Congress.
Updated
Workforce
As re-firings begin, judge demands Trump administration tell probationary employees they were not let go for poor performance
Court declines to block more firings of recently hired staff, saying individual agencies are now making their own decisions.
Oversight
DOGE is building a ‘master database’ of sensitive information, top Oversight Democrat says
Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., is calling on the Social Security Administration’s watchdog to investigate whistleblower claims that the efficiency team is compiling potentially sensitive data across several government agencies.
Management
Rubio denies that Trump will politicize the Foreign Service and slash embassies
State Department says a draft executive order, which would have created new loyalty requirements for career staff and eliminated many offices, is fake. A reorganization of the department is still expected shortly.
Workforce
OPM proposes rule to formally revive Schedule F
The federal government’s dedicated HR agency estimates that 50,000 federal workers will be stripped of their civil service protections and become at-will employees.
Updated
Workforce
VA is selectively enforcing Trump’s order stripping workers of union rights
VA Secretary Doug Collins this week issued a notice allowing employees at the department whose unions have not been involved with lawsuits against the Trump administration to retain their collective bargaining rights.
Updated
Workforce
Mass layoffs paused at Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
A union argued that CFPB has violated an order limiting how it can conduct reductions in force.
Workforce
SBA hit with more layoffs
The agency's COVID-19 EIDL Servicing Center staff were told they would be fired on Friday.
Management