Pay & Benefits
Interior Department hosts reenactment of singer’s historic performance
Legendary African-American opera singer Marian Anderson appeared at the department in 1939 after being denied an opportunity to sing at a Washington concert hall because of her race.
Pay & Benefits
Continuing Care
Federal employees with dependent children over age 22 might want to check out a new health insurance option.
Oversight
From Nextgov.com: Requirements identical for Defense, VA health record system
Report’s findings on similarities doesn’t solve debate over how to develop joint electronic health records network.
Pay & Benefits
Lawmakers weigh in on executive order
House majority leader criticizes Bush’s decision to curb collective bargaining rights of federal workers with national security jobs.
Pay & Benefits
Blue Cross seeks alternative to health fee hikes
The insurance carrier is slated to increase deductibles in 2009 for surgeries by a nonparticipating provider.
Oversight
Federal HR chiefs say they need more resources
Human capital leaders argue that success of the Obama administration will depend in part on workforce management.
Pay & Benefits
Executive order curtailing bargaining rights draws fire
Labor unions condemn President Bush's order barring thousands of federal employees from organizing on national security grounds.
Oversight
Oversight, workforce remain top concerns in acquisition survey
Professional Services Council Procurement Policy Survey cites need to tackle contracting in a holistic manner.
Pay & Benefits
Study reveals the success of Pentagon personnel system is unclear
The Congressional Budget Office says it’s too early to tell whether NSPS is improving employee performance and making hiring and pay decisions easier.
Pay & Benefits
November a gloomy month for all but two TSP funds
Stock-based options continue to sustain losses, but not to the same extent as in October.
Pay & Benefits
Extra day off after Christmas likely for feds
Presidents often grant a bonus day or half-day of vacation when the holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday.
Pay & Benefits
TSA announces 2009 performance-based payouts
Roughly three-quarters of employees under the agency’s new pay system will receive performance-based bonuses on top of the governmentwide increase.
Pay & Benefits
TSP holds steady amid economic downturn
Board is examining the trading practices of contractors.
Pay & Benefits
Outlook for public service academy brightens
Obama and many of the top candidates for jobs in his administration support creating such an institution.
Pay & Benefits
Medicare Mysteries
An exploration of the tangled relationship between Medicare and FEHBP.
Pay & Benefits
Union challenges proposed rule on employee suspensions
OPM says regulation would clarify notification requirements and types of offenses that apply.
Oversight
Twenty percent of senior executives unprepared for transition
Some high-level career officials can’t cite any presidential transition activities at their agencies, survey finds.
Pay & Benefits
Silver Lining
Federal employees invested in the Thrift Savings Plan have reason to look on the bright side during this gloomy economy.
Pay & Benefits
NTEU releases workforce reform agenda
Union says document will prepare employees to brief agency policy review teams during the transition.
Oversight