Management

GovExec Daily: The Cancelled Presidential Rank Awards

Erich Wagner and Tom Shoop join the show to discuss how the scuttled awards fit into the greater Trump administration plans for the civil service and human capital.

Pay & Benefits

OPM Cancels Presidential Rank Awards, Citing Efforts to 'Reopen' Economy

The Trump administration in March had suspended nominations for this year’s iteration of the awards, which recognize federal executives’ contributions to public service.

Management

House Defense Policy Bill Fixes Parental Leave Loopholes, Preserves Pentagon Collective Bargaining

The House version of the 2021 Defense authorization measure ensures all federal workers have access to the new benefit providing 12 weeks of paid parental leave, and it also standardizes locality pay between the General Schedule and Federal Wage System pay scales.

Pay & Benefits

Senate Defense Policy Bill Would Allow Pay Increases for a Few Federal Tech and Acquisition Jobs

The bill would also improve a recently enacted fix to tax regulations related to government-provided relocation expenses.

Management

White House Advisor Sought Legal Opinion to Allow Trump to Fire Anyone In Government

A recently published internal White House document from early in the Trump administration proved to be a road map for the White House’s efforts to weaken unions and cut federal employee pay and benefits.

Pay & Benefits

Senator Calls for New Opt-In Period for Military's Blended Retirement System, More Financial Literacy

A new bill from Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., would require service members to "affirmatively" choose between enrolling in the blended retirement system or a traditional military pension.

Pay & Benefits

TSP Outlines Impact of New Lifecycle Fund Implementation

Next week, officials at the federal government's 401(k)-style retirement savings program will begin offering lifecycle funds in five-year increments, moving the options in line with private sector counterparts.

Pay & Benefits

OPM: Some Feds' Leave Canceled Because of COVID-19 Will Be Restored

The federal government's HR agency said it will issue regulations allowing for agencies to restore federal workers' use-or-lose annual leave if it is canceled due to essential coronavirus response work.

Pay & Benefits

Social Security Unions File Formal Complaints Over Lack of Emergency Sick Leave

More than two months after the deadline for all employers to offer workers pandemic-related emergency paid sick leave, three unions say the agency is violating the law.

Management

GovExec Daily: The Pandemic Divide Between Public and Private Sector Workers

Brian Michael, VP & GM Public Sector at Medallia and Sheri Petras, CEO at CFI Group, join the podcast to look at a survey on the ways employees are handling the COVID-19 .

Pay & Benefits

New House COVID-19 Bill Includes Hazard Pay for Feds, Strengthens Protections for Telework and Sick Leave

Pelosi on Tuesday unveiled legislation that would provide up to $10,000 in premium pay for federal workers on the front lines of the coronavirus outbreak and would prevent agencies from exempting employees from paid sick leave benefits.

Pay & Benefits

House Democrats Urge Leadership to Begin Paid Parental Leave for Feds Early

A group of 12 lawmakers said the new benefit for federal workers, currently slated for implementation in October, should apply retroactively to December.

Pay & Benefits

House Legislation Would Protect Feds’ Unused Leave During Coronavirus Pandemic

Rep. Jennifer Wexton, D-Va., has introduced a bill that would ensure that federal workers who are unable to take a vacation due to the COVID-19 outbreak will not lose their paid leave.

Pay & Benefits

OPM Urges FEHBP Insurers to Reduce Costs for Coronavirus Treatment

Amid questions from lawmakers, the federal government’s HR agency confirmed that it is pushing to minimize costs for federal employees who require treatment for COVID-19.

Pay & Benefits

OPM Dismisses Union Concerns About Paid Parental Leave Implementation

Agency Director Dale Cabaniss argued that legislative proposals listed as part of OPM's fiscal 2021 budget justification merely sought "clarification" from Congress, and were not intended to set limitations on the new benefit.

Management

Civil Service Reform, Again

The Republican Study Committee’s recent task force report is correct in its point that federal benefits costs cannot be justified.

Pay & Benefits

Union Urges OPM Director to Withdraw Proposal to Limit Paid Parental Leave

As part of its fiscal 2020 budget justification, the personnel agency proposed legislation limiting the availability of paid parental leave for foster placements and in instances where both parents are federal workers.

Pay & Benefits

Military Family Members and Retirees Could Lose Medical Clinic Access under Pentagon Plan

The Defense Department this week published a plan to downsize dozens of military treatment facilities and make many accessible only to active duty troops.

Pay & Benefits

OPM, Lawmakers Propose Fixes to New Paid Parental Leave Law

The effort to ensure all federal employees have access to up to 12 weeks of paid time off following the birth, adoption or foster placement of a child now has bipartisan support.