Oversight
Proposal to beef up OPM role in health care met with skepticism
Some fear that expanding agency’s portfolio could adversely affect federal employees’ coverage.
Pay & Benefits
Senators seek to force Congress, political appointees out of FEHBP
Move would require them to join public option system embodied in health care reform.
Pay & Benefits
OPM could get role running national health plan
Agency had been considered for role administering public option; now Senators weigh putting agency in charge of national health exchange.
Pay & Benefits
Bill caps flexible spending account contributions
The Senate version of the health care reform legislation would limit FSA contributions to $2,500 beginning in 2011.
Pay & Benefits
Maturity and Youth
Answers to key open season questions about federal health plan coverage for those over 65 and children turning 22.
Oversight
Bill would require agencies to recognize security clearances governmentwide
Bipartisan legislation is similar to 2008 executive order aimed at streamlining background checks on federal employees and contractors.
Pay & Benefits
For Leave or Money
Managers urged to use time off to attract senior talent, but flexibility highlights concerns about accrual policies.
Oversight
From Nextgov.com: VA nixes troubled tech projects
The department ends or slashes funding for 15 IT projects as part of new accountability program.
Pay & Benefits
Survey: Feds save more money than average Americans
Government workers squirreled away thousands of dollars more between March and September than the general population, study shows.
Pay & Benefits
Obama is first president to freeze locality pay
Employee groups say proposal will strain federal workforce.
Pay & Benefits
Obama sets 2 percent civilian pay hike for 2010
Citing economic and national security emergencies, the president says Americans “would not understand or accept” higher raises.
Pay & Benefits
Job seekers continue to value face-to-face interaction
To recruit young feds, agencies have to reach beyond Facebook and YouTube.
Defense
White House breach raises questions about Secret Service pay and oversight
Homeland Security requested money for more staff in its fiscal 2010 budget.
Pay & Benefits
High health premiums could force some employees to shop around
Benefits specialists advise taking both out-of-pocket costs and premiums into account when comparing plans.
Pay & Benefits
Agencies authorized to dismiss employees early for Thanksgiving
OPM chief says a little extra time off would be “mark of gratitude” for workers’ service.
Defense
Personnel system under scrutiny in Fort Hood review
Task force will examine alleged shooter’s promotion and whether his patients received adequate care.
Oversight
Postal Service employees will receive pay raise in December
Agency’s financial woes have no effect on 2006 union agreement, officials say.
Pay & Benefits
Paid parental leave touted as a way to improve retention
Family groups say stingy leave policies force federal employees to make difficult financial choices.
Pay & Benefits