Defense
Veterans Push for Medical Marijuana in Conservative South
North Carolina claims to be the “Nation’s Most Military Friendly State.” Now veterans are trying to capitalize on this dedication to the troops to persuade lawmakers to pass medical marijuana legislation. It’s an advocacy model that has led to success for pro-cannabis efforts elsewhere.
Workforce
Court Deals Yet Another Blow to Firing Reform Law
Thousands of workers may now have a new avenue to getting their jobs back.
Workforce
VA Adds 245K Employees to COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate
The vast majority of Veterans Health Administration staff must receive the shots or risk being fired.
Defense
GovExec Daily: The Gaps in Veteran Student Data
Wesley Wilson joins the podcast to discuss one way colleges and universities can use information to combat fraud.
Workforce
Many VA Employees Apprehensive About Vaccine Mandate as Department Begins Implementation
Some medical workers say they will quit or retire rather than comply with the new requirement.
Oversight
To Combat Fraud, Colleges and Universities Must Report Student Veteran Outcome Data
Veterans continually bear the brunt of deceptive advertising and fraud from schools seeking to exploit them for their hard-earned GI Bill benefits.
Management
VA Mandates Vaccines for Health Care Workers
“It’s the best way to keep veterans safe, especially as the Delta variant spreads across the country,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough.
Workforce
AFGE, VA Reach Settlement to 'Reset' Labor Relations
The Veterans Affairs Department has agreed to reverse actions taken to crack down on unions during the Trump administration, including compensating union officials for leave they took in the absence of official time and reimbursing the union for past office space and equipment rentals.
Workforce
Panel Reaffirms Blow to Trump's Signature Civil Service Reform, Again Calling for Rehiring of Fired Workers
Labor authority dismisses VA's attempt for further consideration of the case.
Workforce
House Passes Bills to Require Body Cameras and Use of Force Oversight for VA Police, Boost Department’s HR
VA's 5,000-person internal police force has mistreated veterans, lawmaker says.
Management
Biden Signals He Wants to Expand VA's Footprint, Misses Deadline to Nominate Commissioners to Review It
White House is pushing big investment in veterans' medical facilities as commission initially designed to recommend consolidations takes shape.
Workforce
VA Employee Pleads Guilty to Filming Coworkers in Bathroom on Hidden Camera
The endoscopic technician faces up to 18 months in prison.
Oversight
VA's Systemic Failures Allowed Alcoholic Doctor to Keep Job While Making Mistakes That Killed Patients
"The consequences were devastating, tragic and deadly," IG says of convicted former VA employee.
Management
House Panel Advances Legislation to Expand VA Medical Employee Bargaining Rights
The VA Employee Fairness Act would grant medical professionals the right to bargain over scheduling and official time, and to file grievances over pay disputes.
Workforce
VA Seeks 125% Increase in Diversity and Inclusion Counselors
Lawmakers, stakeholders note that the Veterans Affairs Department has a long way to go to ensure equity in its workforce, particularly within senior executive ranks.
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