Management
Despite Struggling With Widespread Mail Delays, USPS Is Processing More Ballots On Time
The Postal Service is processing election mail faster than mail writ large.
Nextgov
VA Launches New Electronic Health Record Platform Amid a Pandemic, Wildfires and Citywide Power Outages
Nature seemed to be against the Veterans Affairs Department’s new EHR system. But officials are reporting a “flawless” cutover for the first deployment.
Management
The Future of Work Post-Pandemic: We’re Not Going Back
Suddenly, the conversation about telework has shifted from “do we have the right technologies in place?” to “do we have the right people policies and training in place?”
Route Fifty
One State Will Deploy National Guard to Nursing Homes
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb said the National Guard will take over employee health screenings, data entry and other tasks to allow staff members to focus on patient care.
Workforce
Coronavirus Roundup: HHS Abandons Santa Claus Plan; Morale is Low at CDC and HHS
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Management
Salary Council Chairman Resigns in Protest of Trump Order Politicizing Federal Workforce
Ron Sanders, a key ally in the administration’s efforts to reform the civil service pay structure, said he cannot be party to “an attempt to require the political loyalty” of federal workers.
Defense
What Would a Second Trump Term Mean For Foreign Policy?
The nuts and bolts may shift, but the approach is likely to stay the same.
Workforce
How to Use COVID-19 Testing and Quarantining to Safely Travel for the Holidays
Over the approaching holidays, people around the world will want to travel to see friends and family. Getting tested for the coronavirus can make this safer, but testing alone is not a perfect answer.
Management
GovExec Daily: The Order That Could Politicize the Civil Service
Former OMB official Robert Shea joins the podcast to discuss the latest executive order.
Management
Opinion: Scoundrels, Saints, and the Fiction of Individual Genius
In the shadows of every celebrated scientist, there are other contributors who may be more deserving of our adulation.
Route Fifty
Filing for Unemployment Doesn’t Have to Be So Terrible
State unemployment systems were overwhelmed by filings during the pandemic. A new report lays out basic steps states can take to make the claims process easier for users.
Management
Agencies to Have Wide Latitude In Deciding Which Jobs to Strip of Civil Service Protections
OPM issued initial instructions Friday for implementing a Trump executive order that allows federal policy-making positions to be converted from career jobs to at-will appointments.
Route Fifty
A State Moves Its Mainframe System to the Cloud
With technicians retiring and fewer agencies using the state-run system, Washington state is turning to an outside vendor to provide mainframe computing services.
Workforce
DHS Union Asks for Removal of 'Illegal Gag Order' Asking Employees to Report on Colleagues
Department said that asking staff to inform on coworkers is necessary to protect national security and federal personnel.
Management
Nonprofit Advises Agencies to Make Transition Briefing Materials Succinct, Informative
The reports are due by November 1, two days before Election Day.
Nextgov
OMB Official Says Evidence Act Implementation Guidance May Come in Early 2021
Two Office of Management and Budget officials discussed the guidance at the first meeting of the Advisory Committee on Data for Evidence Building.
Nextgov
Congress Faces Contentious Cyber Proposals When NDAA Conference Kicks Off
Industry groups are hoping these will lead to greater investment in government intelligence services to protect their assets.
Management
Viewpoint: The Mismanagement Was Bad Enough. Now They Want to Tear the System Down
President Trump has launched an assault on the very foundations of American administrative government.
Route Fifty
First Came Legal Marijuana, Now Comes…Magic Mushrooms?
In some places where the marijuana decriminalization and legalization movement took hold, voters are being asked a new question: Should psychedelic mushrooms be next?
Workforce