Workforce
VA Suicide Prevention Teams Report Burnout as Department Fails to Ensure Proper Staffing
VA and Congress are doing more to identify vets at risk for suicide, but not keeping pace with staffing.
Management
VA Rolls Back Trump-era Workforce Policies
The Veterans Affairs Department is restoring its previous contract with AFGE, which allows access to official time and union office space in department facilities.
Management
VA Is at a Crossroads As It Kicks Off BRAC-Style Review of Medical Facilities
A commission could soon recommend closures of VA medical facilities, or call for more of them.
Management
Democrats Push to Grant VA Medical Professionals Full Union Rights
Federal law currently prevents Veterans Affairs Department medical workers from bargaining over matters related to patient care and clinical competence, although much is at the discretion of the VA secretary.
Management
House Overwhelmingly Backs Expanding Who VA Vaccinates
Lawmakers look to further leverage the Veterans Affairs Department's successful vaccine rollout.
Workforce
VA Touts Lower Employee COVID-19 Infection Rates, Improved PPE Supply
Officials praise VA workforce's resiliency as widespread vaccination leads to far fewer employees missing work.
Management
Reflections on Public Service During a Pandemic
A conversation with Paul Lawrence, the former Under Secretary for Benefits at the Veterans Affairs Department.
Management
Union: VA Continues Stonewalling Contract Negotiations Despite Biden Order
In the two weeks since President Biden signed an executive order instructing agencies to work collaboratively with labor groups, the VA has continued Trump-era tactics against its largest union, AFGE says.
Management
Biden's VA Pick Says He Can 'Unstick Problems' Within the Bureaucracy
Denis McDonough pledges to continue the status quo on private sector health care and provide more resources for VA employees.
Workforce
VA Expands Vaccination to Some Non-Health Care Staff as Postal Workers Face Uncertainty
Agencies have started vaccinations for more than 1 million people, but many federal workers have not received clear guidance.
Workforce
VA Is Increasingly Leaning on Contract Nurses as COVID-19 Cases Surge
Employees lament staffing shortages even as VA has brought on 66,000 new workers since the novel coronavirus pandemic began.
Workforce
Court Affirms Senior Executives in Government Have Only Limited Appeal Rights
Court also issues another defeat to President Trump's signature civil service reform law.
Management
VA Flags Potential Staffing, Resource Hurdles in Vaccine Distribution
The department will start with a small distribution of doses, but expects a series of hurdles in inoculating its entire workforce and network.
Management
Senators Raise Concerns Over Burrowing In, Other 'Midnight' Activities at VA
Rushed policies and hiring decisions "should be left to the incoming administration," lawmakers say.
Workforce
Internal Documents Detail Who VA Will Vaccinate First
The Veterans Affairs Department's multi-tiered plan prioritizes delivering COVID-19 inoculations to high-risk staff and patients.
Management
A Member of Your Household Tests Positive for COVID-19? VA Says Keep on Working
Department tells employees not to quarantine until they start feeling sick.
Pay & Benefits
Panel Deals Major Blow to Trump's Signature Civil Service Reform, Calls for Rehiring of Fired Workers
Labor authority says administration violated a contract in implementing a 2017 law.
Management
Federal Panel Strips VA Worker Rights in Latest Pro-Management Decision
Although the Federal Service Impasses Panel scolded VA for its overbroad reliance on management rights to eviscerate its contract with a labor union, the panel still ruled mostly in the department’s favor.
Management
Federal Manager, Contractor Dead Following Explosion at VA Facility
Another contractor is missing, and three individuals are injured.
Management