Management

Arbitrator Finds Social Security Violated Federal Labor Law in Negotiations with Administrative Law Judges

An independent arbitrator rules that SSA management engaged in bad faith bargaining by repeatedly withholding information from a union representing the judges as the parties were preparing to negotiate a new contract.

Nextgov

TSA Issues Road Map to Tackle Insider Threat With Artificial Intelligence

The agency says protection of privacy and civil liberties will be a guiding principle.

Oversight

Lawmakers Press the Trump Administration for More Transparency on Coronavirus Drug Distribution

Inquiry comes after reports of a chaotic initial rollout.

Workforce

‘I Was Met With Indifference’: Whistleblower Testifies on HHS Leaders' Response to His Early Coronavirus Concerns

Former vaccine agency director removed from position after speaking out implores Trump administration to let federal scientists "speak truthfully without fear of retribution."

Pay & Benefits

How Long Does It Take To Get a TSP Withdrawal?

A look at the process of taking money out of your retirement savings.

Oversight

Pence’s 'Special Envoy' in Foreign Aid Office Sparked an Ethics Complaint Just Weeks After He Started His Job

Weeks before joining the administration, Max Primorac, a USAID appointee and adviser to Vice President Mike Pence, pushed the business interests of a client to an organization funded by USAID.

Route Fifty

For Firefighters Battling Wildfires, Coronavirus Adds New Risks to Already Dangerous Job

States plan to change many usual practices to help prevent the disease from spreading among firefighters, as well as evacuees.

Nextgov

GSA Seeks Support for Challenge Sites, Including Potential New Challenge X Lab

The crowdsourcing Challenge.gov and Citizenscience.gov need program support, as does a potential new testbed for agencies.

Workforce

Coronavirus Roundup: Unions Support New Stimulus Package; Pentagon to Purchase Protective Gear for Nursing Homes

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

Route Fifty

Pennsylvania Attorney General Opens Criminal Investigations Into Nursing Homes Deaths

State Attorney General Josh Shapiro says he wants to determine if management is at fault for the thousands of residents who have died in his state.

Nextgov

Agencies Lean Into Automation During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Robotic process automation is accelerating across the National Institutes of Health, Internal Revenue Service and Housing and Urban Development Department.

Defense

A ‘Mass Breakout’ of ISIS from Syrian Prisons Remains a Risk, Pentagon Watchdog Says

The coalition has had “little or no direct access” to the facilities since Turkey’s October invasion.

Oversight

A Trump Official Tried to Fast-Track Funding for His Friend’s Unproven COVID-19 'Treatment,' Whistleblower Says

Whistleblowing virologist Rick Bright says that his Trump-appointed boss tried to fast-track funding for a friend’s coronavirus treatment, and that he was reassigned for insisting that funding be reserved for “safe and scientifically vetted solutions.”

Management

Gen Z Doesn’t Want to Work for the Government

Here are three things agencies can do to appeal more to these young, tech-savvy workers.

Employee Policy

Unions react to the HEROES Act proposal

Government-employee unions vowed to support the Democrats in the legislative fight to prevent massive jobs loss and protect essential workers.

Retirement

Retirement board reverses on Chinese-linked index fund

the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board decision comes two days after White House asked Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia to intervene.

Management

Good Riddance to the Handshake

A terrible custom is gone for good. Hallelujah.

Management

GovExec Daily: Racial Disparities in Coronavirus Treatment

Dr. Tina Sacks joins the show to discuss how the federal government can bridge the gaps in health care and outcomes for racial minorities during and after the pandemic.

Route Fifty

A Coronavirus Order Requiring Businesses to Track Customers Is Challenged in Court

Linn County, Kansas requires businesses that reopen amid the coronavirus outbreak to log their customers as a way to assist contact tracing efforts. A lawsuit alleges that’s unconstitutional.

Pay & Benefits

TSP Highlights COVID-19 Withdrawal Options, and More

A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.