Defense

Tricare pharmacy program recovers from rocky beginning

Claims being processed at high volumes after initial computer glitch is resolved.

Pay & Benefits

Schedule Shift

Those scheduled to stay home Friday as part of an alternative work schedule will be credited with eight hours of leave because of the national day of mourning.

Management

OPM, agencies urged to cooperate to speed hiring

Less finger-pointing, more communication is the key, says GAO.

Pay & Benefits

President Bush orders agencies closed Friday for day of mourning

Executive order issued Sunday covers all agencies except those that must remain open for national security reasons.

Pay & Benefits

OPM: Agencies not taking advantage of hiring flexibilities

Survey shows readily available hiring tools not widely used.

Pay & Benefits

Healthy Reserves

A bipartisan vote in the Senate Wednesday approved year-round military health care for reservists.

Pay & Benefits

Most TSP funds bounce back in May after April losses

All but F Fund gain in May. I Fund shows largest earnings over the past year.

Management

Management, benefits bills on the agenda

House, Senate committees will take up legislation this week to overhaul the Postal Service, eliminate TSP open seasons and boost whistleblower protections.

Management

EEOC moves forward with plan to expedite cases

Move would affect Washington field office; union official cries foul and prepares to fight back.

Pay & Benefits

OPM focuses on emergency planning to push telework efforts

OPM officials try to educate federal managers on role telework can play in ensuring continuous operations.

Pay & Benefits

Drop General Schedule system by 2009, report says

National Academy of Public Administration recommends pay banding salary system.

Pay & Benefits

Chief Reform Officer

A career civil servant has been handed the job of implementing the Defense Department's new personnel system.

Pay & Benefits

Senators push bill to eliminate TSP open seasons

Action comes just a few days after a House subcommittee approved similar legislation.

Pay & Benefits

OPM report shows telework numbers far below goal

Progress extremely slow, House Government Reform Committee to address problems in July.

Pay & Benefits

Senator seeks pay boost for federal workers serving in reserves

Proposed amendment would pay them their civilian salary while they are deployed in the National Guard or Reserves.

Management

Officials say recruiting efforts will offset retirement wave

The civil service is still an attractive option for job applicants, administrators say.

Pay & Benefits

Closing Open Seasons

House subcommittee takes a step toward getting rid of Thrift Savings Plan open seasons, which restrict participant changes to certain times of the year.

Pay & Benefits

Panel passes bill to increase benefits and hiring incentives

Measure includes recruitment and retention bonuses, comp time and enhanced vacation benefits for mid-career hires.

Defense

Army provides no funds for vaccine care centers

The service hasn't budgeted any money in fiscal 2005 for centers that treat soldiers with complications from military-administered vaccines.