Workforce
Biden Administration Outlines Process for Disciplining, Removing Unvaccinated Feds
Refusal to comply with the president’s vaccine mandate will be treated as violating “a lawful order,” according to guidance from the White House Safer Federal Workforce Taskforce and OPM.
Pay & Benefits
Employee Groups React to Health Insurance Open Season Announcement
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Pay & Benefits
Feds Will Pay 3.8% More Toward Health Care Premiums Next Year
Cost growth stems largely from specialty drugs, treatments for chronic illnesses and the COVID-19 pandemic, insurers said, although federal workers will be impacted less than employees of other large organizations.
Workforce
OPM Finalizes Rule to Boost Agency Hiring of Military Spouses
Regulations removing obstacles to hiring spouses of active duty service members outside of the competitive process will go into effect next month.
Management
OPM Sees Eye-to-Eye With Outside Experts on Its Future Role in Governmentwide Personnel Policy
The federal government’s human resources agency said it is incorporating many of the ideas proposed by the National Academy of Public Administration in its upcoming strategic plan, but some will require funding increases and congressional action.
Pay & Benefits
OPM Adds Tribal School Workers to FEHBP, and More
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Pay & Benefits
OPM Announces Leave Transfer Program for Feds in Four States Following Hurricane Ida
Feds in Louisiana, Mississippi, New York and New Jersey could be able to take extra time off to recover from the storm.
Workforce
OPM Issues Guidance on Weather Leave in Age of Telework, Disasters
As the remnants of Hurricane Ida created disruptions throughout the eastern United States, the Office of Personnel Management highlighted how workplace flexibilities can mesh with the federal government’s current maximum telework posture.
Pay & Benefits
Feds to Receive Administrative Leave for Vaccinations
New guidance from the White House Safer Federal Workforce Task Force simplifies the process for federal employees to receive leave to get themselves or family members vaccinated.
Workforce
OPM Rule Eases Agency Hiring of Interns
Under regulations slated for publication Wednesday, agencies will be able to hire job candidates still in college to temporary jobs and can eventually convert them to permanent positions.
Pay & Benefits
Groups Push for End to Justice Dept. Pay Gap, and More
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Pay & Benefits
Employee Group Calls on OPM to Ban Salary History from Hiring
An employee organization focused on gender equity at the Justice Department said the federal government should stop asking job applicants for their salary history, a practice that contributes to pay disparity across gender and race.
Workforce
New OPM Director Committed to 'Rebuilding' the HR Agency, Federal Workforce
Ahuja says she wants the agency to reassert itself in helping departments governmentwide become model 21st century employers.
Workforce
OPM Wants to See More Telework, Remote Work and ‘Maxiflex’ Schedules Post-COVID
Guidance published late last week promotes telework and other flexibilities as retention and recruitment tools.
Management
OPM Reclaims Human Capital Council Duties Following Failed GSA Merger
The Trump administration had moved the Chief Human Capital Officers Council’s staff from OPM to GSA shortly before Congress blocked the controversial plan to merge the agencies.
Oversight
OPM Has Improved on Several Key Management Issues, Watchdog Finds
GAO lauded OPM’s efforts to reform performance management processes and provide better data to agencies, although 14 recommendations remain unresolved.
Pay & Benefits
OPM, HHS Move to End Surprise Medical Billing, and More
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Management
OPM Asks Watchdog to Review Assessment Process for Prestigious Fellowship Amid Diversity Concerns
The agency acknowledged an “unacceptable decline” in finalists in certain demographic groups and is taking steps to improve inclusivity within the program.
Workforce
Biden Signs Sweeping Order to Improve Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility Across Federal Workforce
All agencies will be required to submit a plan to improve their diversity initiatives, while OPM will be tasked with ensuring its various benefits programs are responsive to LGBTQ+ employees’ needs.
Management