Pay & Benefits
Employees urged to weigh a switch in health plans
Analyst says that with changing premiums and options, participants risk leaving money on the table if they stand pat.
Pay & Benefits
The Old Switcheroo
It may be worth your while to do your homework and consider changing health plans during this year’s open season.
Pay & Benefits
Sick Leave Saga
FERS employees want credit for their unused sick leave in retirement. Lawmakers may be listening.
Pay & Benefits
Senators urged to overturn Social Security provisions affecting federal retirees
But as always, the stumbling block is the price tag of repealing the Government Pension Offset and the Windfall Elimination Provision.
Oversight
Goal-setting, training called keys to telework
Agencies urged to view telework as an organizational tool, not a reward for high-performing employees.
Defense
DHS touts success in senior-level hiring
Amid criticism from lawmakers, Homeland Security met all its hiring targets for fiscal 2007, the agency’s top personnel official says.
Oversight
Report praises OPM’s workforce planning
GAO says agency responded aggressively to 2004 survey results, but could improve training and supervisor-employee relations.
Pay & Benefits
So Many Choices, So Little Time
Open season for health, dental and vision benefits is only a week away, so it’s time to consider whether you want to make any changes to your coverage.
Oversight
Trade group calls for reforms to appointments process
Aerospace execs say the long process and pay disparities shut out strong candidates.
Pay & Benefits
TSP funds boast strong gains in October
International stocks are the top performers, with 4.49 percent in gains last month and 25.70 percent over the past year.
Defense
Pilot project on handling veterans’ employment complaints called inconclusive
Issue of which agency should be in charge of investigating federal sector complaints needs further review, Senate committee members say.
Pay & Benefits
A Price to Pay
Locality pay rates in the Los Angeles area may have had hidden costs during the wildfires.
Defense
Pentagon to add 75,000 employees to new personnel system
Latest installment will bring the total number of civilians working under the performance-based pay system to 184,000.
Pay & Benefits
Likely 2009 raise figure comes in at 3.4 percent
Change in Employment Cost Index has become the de facto baseline for recommended average federal salary increase.
Pay & Benefits
Union, law firm partner to pursue reservists' benefit claims
The labor group and New York firm will co-represent 10,000 union members who claim they were improperly charged leave for reserve duties.
Oversight
Agencies mobilize assistance for wildfire victims
Efforts to disburse aid are running smoothly, but the extent of the need remains to be seen.
Pay & Benefits
More Questions, More Answers
Another round of questions from readers about a range of retirement issues.
Tech
Credentials could ease hiring for IT security jobs
Agencies should follow the Defense Department’s model for IT employee certifications, representatives of professional organizations say.
Pay & Benefits
Panelists suggest reducing reliance on political appointees
Replacing appointees with career employees would improve continuity and help address leadership and workforce challenges, officials say.
Pay & Benefits