Oversight
Pay reform, recruiting cited as top personnel challenges
Officials caution against implementing a "one-size-fits-all" approach.
Pay & Benefits
Pushing Parental Leave
The idea of granting paid leave to new parents is gaining traction on Capitol Hill.
Oversight
Court extends deadline for DHS decision on labor rules
Department now has until Jan. 17, 2008, to decide whether it will rewrite or drop proposed rules.
Pay & Benefits
House members weigh alternate paths to TSA bargaining rights
Texas Democrat says if bargaining language doesn’t make it into massive homeland security measure, she may introduce separate legislation.
Pay & Benefits
Report: Defense underestimated cost of personnel overhaul
Some indirect costs, such as those for administrative services, were not taken into account, auditors say.
Oversight
House backs bill to boost hiring for passport processing
Measure would allow State Department to rehire retirees to help with influx of applications.
Pay & Benefits
TSP urges Congress to back two legislative proposals
Plan officials have sent requests for automatic enrollment and a change in the default fund to Capitol Hill, but immediate action is unlikely.
Pay & Benefits
Group proposes scholarships to fill mission-critical jobs
Recipients would be required to work for the government for two years; program would depend on funding from Congress.
Oversight
Special counsel takes heat for personal e-mail use
Rep. Tom Davis, R-Va., chides Office of Special Counsel chief Scott Bloch for offering commentary on work issues using a personal account.
Pay & Benefits
Senate appropriators back 3.5 percent civilian pay raise
Committee also approves funding for project to shift paper-based employee retirement records to an electronic system.
Pay & Benefits
Pay Raise Prospects
The process of approving a 2008 pay raise for federal employees is running smoothly, for now.
Pay & Benefits
House backs student loan forgiveness for public servants
Bill would make it easier for college graduates with high loan debt to enter public service.
Pay & Benefits
Senate panel backs 3.5 percent civilian pay raise
Move follows House passage of similar 2008 increases for both federal employees and military members.
Pay & Benefits
Advocacy group touts training program for federal women
Federally Employed Women to launch 38th national training program next week, expanding opportunities for women in government.
Defense
Senate drops effort to grant airport screeners bargaining rights
President Bush had threatened veto of 9/11 Commission bill over provision; labor unions say they will continue to push the idea.
Pay & Benefits
OPM modifies rules for figuring certain employees' retirement benefits
Employees on workers’ compensation who hold a full-time appointment but are only able to work part time will get credit for full-time service.
Pay & Benefits
Union suggests timetable for GAO organizing effort
GAO chief says collective bargaining would differ from that at most other agencies because employees could negotiate over pay.
Pay & Benefits