Pay & Benefits
Limited Flexibility
Proposals to cap flexible spending accounts could gain traction in the health care debate.
Defense
Defense officials prepare for H1N1 flu
The department is purchasing a separate stockpile of vaccine for military personnel.
Pay & Benefits
OPM proposes new leave policies for pandemics, family care
Policies target flu season, care for wounded service members.
Defense
Panel recommends major changes to Pentagon pay system
But report does not call for elimination of the National Security Personnel System.
Pay & Benefits
Postal Service to offer buyouts
Up to 30,000 APWU and mail handlers union employees will be eligible to receive $15,000.
Pay & Benefits
OPM decides to keep application form on USAJobs
Agency requests comment on the impact of the form on HR workers.
Pay & Benefits
Proposals to split SES and eliminate review boards spark debate
Group representing senior government leaders agrees with many of the other recommendations in a new report.
Oversight
New FDA facility will oversee tobacco regulation
The Center for Tobacco Products will be staffed by several hundred current agency employees and new hires.
Pay & Benefits
Paying Respects
Agencies are taking steps to make life easier for the survivors of civil servants.
Oversight
OPM creates office to oversee the Senior Executive Service
Central unit will make management of the top ranks of federal officials more efficient, personnel chief says.
Pay & Benefits
MSPB says vet’s case against federal internship program has legal merit
Ruling deals another blow to the government’s nine-year-old special hiring authority.
Oversight
Panelists call for change in human resources workforce and mission
HR offices should look inward and think about their strategic role, personnel specialists say.
Pay & Benefits
TSP reforms boost enrollment
But other changes required by law will take time to implement, Thrift Savings Plan officials say.
Pay & Benefits
The Inevitable
You might not want to think about what will happen after you die, but for your survivors’ sake, you should.
Defense
Justice sues bulletproof vest manufacturer for false claims
Suit is the latest in a long-running investigation of firms that sold defective gear to military and law enforcement agencies.
Pay & Benefits
Pilot projects could be the key to speeding discrimination complaint processing
EEOC must oversee and evaluate such projects to succeed, GAO cautions.
Oversight
From Nextgov.com: VA likely to miss deadline to process education benefits claims
Backlog of 200,000 claims await processors, but some universities and colleges will allow veterans who have unpaid tuition and housing bills to remain in school.
Pay & Benefits
Panel orders FAA to set new controller pay scales
Mediators lament "draconian reductions in compensation" in decision paving the way for a new labor contract to be ratified.
Pay & Benefits