Defense
Air Force vows to improve acquisition system
Plan would expand workforce and revise processes to keep programs on time and within budget.
Defense
Lawmaker threatens to force DHS to let employees wear masks
Front-line workers want policy giving them the right to don protective gear to guard against spread of diseases.
Defense
Debate erupts over whistleblower rights for intelligence workers
Legal experts disagree on whether a pending bill can protect employee rights and national security simultaneously.
Defense
Defense to bulk up housing assistance program
Recovery Act funds will be used to expand effort to help service members and civilian employees who have been forced to sell their homes at a loss.
Pay & Benefits
Short-Term Fixes
The Obama administration can get the ball rolling on personnel reforms, but it will need Congress to make lasting changes.
Oversight
Officials recognize telework demands more than lip service to thrive
Governmentwide policy requires specific performance measures and competence with technology to succeed, observers say.
Oversight
IG: Energy needs to improve contractor oversight
Watchdog cites potential conflict of interest in radioactive waste disposal at Hanford Site.
Oversight
Senators outline options for public insurance plan
One of three possibilities would involve setting up a new administrative agency within the Health and Human Services Department.
Pay & Benefits
OPM delays promotion rule again
Union calls for preservation of time-in-grade regulation, while nonprofit says it could create disparities among pay systems.
Oversight
Personnel chief isn’t waiting on Congress to begin hiring reforms
Many of the provisions in a bill to streamline the federal job application process can be accomplished administratively, OPM director tells lawmakers.
Pay & Benefits
Special Considerations
If you’re in a job with a mandatory retirement age, you have a different set of retirement options to consider.
Oversight
Poll finds Uncle Sam’s popularity up among job seekers
Gallup finds number of Americans interested in working for the federal government has increased 16 percent since 2006.
Pay & Benefits
Roth 411
Financial planners weigh the pros and cons of a Roth 401(k) option for federal employees.
Oversight
Interior taps stimulus funds for renewable energy production
Bureau of Land Management will open new offices in four Western states to process lease applications.
Pay & Benefits
House panel approves paid parental leave act
Key Republican balks at the benefit’s price tag, signaling possible trouble ahead.
Defense
Officials: Plans being laid to develop swine flu vaccine
CDC is growing a seed virus that eventually will be used to develop a vaccine.
Oversight
OPM director calls for regulatory reforms, announces work-life pilot programs
John Berry criticizes his own agency’s policies and lays out aggressive approach to “red tape.”
Oversight
Freshman lawmaker champions telework, pay parity for feds
Virginia Democrat Gerry Connolly has hit the ground running on federal management issues.
Pay & Benefits