Pay & Benefits
Virginia lawmaker suggests bottom-up approach to pay reform
Employees are more likely to buy into a new pay system if they have a say in its development, Connolly says.
Pay & Benefits
Sick leave fix is not likely to reappear in tobacco bill
Majority leader says House may accept Senate version of legislation, which leaves out some federal pay and benefits reforms.
Oversight
OPM director calls for more action on gay rights
Along with Attorney General Eric Holder, John Berry pledges president’s support to expand access to federal benefits.
Pay & Benefits
COLA Calculations
Retirees got a nice cost-of-living bump in 2009, but they might not see another one for a few years.
Pay & Benefits
Bill advances with TSP reforms, but not sick leave fix
Senate’s version of tobacco legislation leaves out provision that would allow FERS employees to cash out unused sick time at retirement.
Oversight
Panel finds contracting blunders hinder wartime operations
Government does not have enough capable acquisition officials monitoring contracts on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan, commission reports.
Pay & Benefits
Senate climate favors paid parental leave bill, supporters say
Legislation providing federal benefit so far has not provoked the kind opposition it faced in the House.
Oversight
Obama pleases unions with labor relations appointments
Federal Labor Relations Authority had key vacancies for almost a year.
Defense
House approves provision letting TSA employees wear protective gear
Union says managers were preventing airport screeners from taking adequate precautions during the swine flu scare.
Pay & Benefits
Parental leave act moves closer to law
House passes measure granting federal employees four weeks of paid leave for the birth of a child, defeats GOP amendment intended to defray costs.
Pay & Benefits
Account Management
FAQs on the benefits of accounts for TSP enrollees’ surviving spouses are answered.
Pay & Benefits
Panel reviewing Pentagon’s pay system announces meetings
Group will collect input from personnel experts and members of the public in late June.
Oversight
Agencies should link diversity and retention goals, says EEOC
Hiring a minority employee simply to fulfill diversity requirements is not enough, says acting chairman.
Oversight
FDA chief: More money is needed for inspections
Margaret Hamburg says inspecting a domestic food facility costs more than $900,000.
Pay & Benefits
Senate considers bill affecting federal retirement
Lawmakers this week take up legislation that would, among other things, allow FERS employees to count their unused sick leave toward retirement.
Pay & Benefits
Report finds widespread enrollment in pricey prescription drug plans
Choosing a co-insurance plan could add thousands of dollars to the annual cost of specialty drugs to treat chronic or life-threatening illnesses.
Pay & Benefits
From Nextgov.com: State Department promotes Internet diplomacy
But encouraging online interaction among individuals could pose policy challenges for Obama administration.
Oversight