OPM
‘Exit survey’ of former feds finds fears of civil service politicization under Trump — and many willing to return to their agencies
While the Office of Personnel Management has argued that most of the 2025 federal workforce separations were voluntary, academic researchers countered that many of the departing civil servants reported they felt forced into resigning.
OPM is ending a promotion rule, but agencies still have work to do
COMMENTARY | A former federal HR chief argues that managers need to pay closer attention to who gets the assignments and experience that make employees competitive for promotion.
OPM touts ‘hire-palooza’ event for early-career employees
A good government group criticized the Office of Personnel Management for providing limited information about the virtual hiring fair, which is restricted to individuals who are already in the federal hiring process.
IRS says it needs top performers, even if they don’t all get the performance ratings they deserve
An IRS division that reassigned employees to different parts of the agency to address backlogs is warning staff against “deliberately choosing mediocrity” in their day-to-day work if they get lower performance ratings this year.
‘A rushed and complicated system.’ Federal employees say they’re in the dark over limited top ratings
A mandate to limit outstanding performance scores has managers playing a numbers game and risks pitting teammates against each other.
OPM revamps online pay tables, spearheads AI adoption across federal workforce
The agency's CIO Adam Starr described the pay table refresh as part of a broader plan to “make every part of the federal experience tech-first."
Trump quietly hired political appointees under a new job classification, good government group reports
While Schedule G is not officially set up in regulation, the Office of Personnel Management emphasized that the position category for political appointees was established by executive order and that the agency issued implementing guidance.
Federal employees’ health insurance premiums to rise by double digits for third straight year
Some insurance carriers have undergone wide swings in cost, as at least one plan’s premiums will more than double next year.
$25,000 bonuses for top-performing feds? OPM makes it easier for agencies to award them
The HR agency also recently capped the percentage of civil servants who can earn the top two performance ratings in fiscal 2026.
Following court order, OPM replaces 'favorite EO' question for jobseekers
The Office of Personnel Management’s latest essay question for federal job applicants asks less about their personal politics and more about their ability to follow instructions.
Your federal benefits changed this year. Here’s what to know
A guide to the retirement, insurance, Social Security and TSP changes affecting federal employees, retirees and survivors in 2026, plus what to watch for in 2027.
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OPM uses conservative influencers on college tour to recruit young workers
On Thursday, the government HR agency chief is visiting an unaccredited college founded by right-wing figures.
Navigating the Pay.gov maze for federal retirement deposits
Don't let missing service credits or opaque OPM billing notices shrink your monthly annuity. Here is what you need to know before clicking submit.
Lawmakers again raise alarm over OPM’s health records collection plan
The Office of Personnel Management’s plan to collect claims-level health information about federal workers and their family members and store it for 30 years could open feds up to a potential security breach, Senate Democrats said.
Agencies spent nearly $10 billion for feds not to work in 2025
The use of paid administrative leave as part of the Trump administration’s deferred resignation program, an effort to entice federal workers to quit, across government in 2025 was 435% higher than two years prior, according to a new GAO report.
More ‘Big Balls’-type young feds are what the OPM chief wants
In an interview on Monday, Scott Kupor also discussed implementing skills-based hiring, which had been a priority of the Biden administration as well.
Judge halts ‘favorite EO’ question on federal job applications
U.S. District Judge George O’Toole issued a stay blocking federal agencies from asking an essay question civil service advocates call a “loyalty question,” but found he could not prevent consideration of answers already provided by job applicants.
Bill would let federal whistleblowers sue if disciplined over violating NDAs
New legislation from Virginia Democrats seeks to beef up federal whistleblower protections as the Trump administration weighs drastically expanding agencies’ use of non-disclosure agreements.
Reliable rules for your retirement recordkeeping
Pro-tip: Don’t let messy files stall your federal exit.
OPM taps new healthcare and insurance chief ahead of Open Season
Matthew Kiley will take over as the division prepares for Open Season following a round of workforce cuts.
