Author Archive
Management
OPM reassures managers of ‘extremely narrow’ liability in performance management actions
The federal government’s HR agency reminded federal supervisors that they can be partially reimbursed for insurance against lawsuits that may arise from taking adverse actions against subordinates.
Management
Bureau of Prisons to ‘suspend operations’ at California penitentiary
Federal Correctional Institution Terminal Island needs more than $100 million in repairs, including decaying concrete ceilings in some maintenance tunnels.
Workforce
Correctional officers sue for restoration of union rights
The American Federation of Government Employees’ agency-specific lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s executive orders aimed at excising unions from most federal agencies accused the U.S. Bureau of Prisons of arbitrary and capricious decision-making.
Management
Agency layoff rules to get an overhaul under nearly finalized Trump administration proposal
OPM’s reduction in force revamp plan will put performance ratings over tenure and strip some employees of protections.
Workforce
Final Schedule F regulations to describe civil service protections as ‘unconstitutional overcorrections’
OPM officials told agency HR leaders Tuesday that President Trump has Article II constitutional authority to remove tens of thousands of career federal workers in jobs over potential “resistance to policy.”
Workforce
Lawmakers force House vote on bill nullifying anti-union EOs
A pair of Republicans were the final signatures needed to on a bipartisan discharge petition in support of legislation that would strike President Trump’s pair of executive orders aimed at stripping two-thirds of the federal workforce of their collective bargaining rights.
Oversight
NTEU sues OPM for Schedule F records
The federal employee union said the government’s dedicated HR agency ignored an August Freedom of Information Act request pertaining to which positions agencies plan to convert to the controversial new job classification.
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Pay & Benefits
IRS hastens backpay timeline after union outcry
Contrary to a timeline offered by administration officials on Thursday, the Internal Revenue Service initially told employees on Friday not to expect any backpay until Nov. 24.
Pay & Benefits
Trump admin says feds should get at least most backpay by Nov. 19
GSA and OPM workers will be the first to see the first month’s work of pay—belayed by the 43-day government shutdown—with what the White House is calling a “super check” that should be delivered on Saturday.
Workforce
Nonprofit launches FEVS alternative after OPM’s cancellation of official survey
The Public Service Viewpoint Survey aims to at least partially fill the void left by the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey, which OPM cancelled this year despite a legal requirement that it be administered annually.
Pay & Benefits
OPM’s retirement backlog skyrockets as deferred resignees begin offboarding
The federal government’s dedicated HR agency is sitting on the most pending retirement applications since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Oversight
SSA chief Bisignano faces probe from Wyden and Warren over Fiserv stock and federal contract concerns
The Social Security commissioner has come under fire in recent days as shares in his former company depreciated shortly after his tax-advantaged divestiture from the financial technology firm.
Workforce
Unions sue over ‘loyalty question’ for federal jobseekers
Earlier this year, the Office of Personnel Management added a series of essay questions to the federal hiring process, including one that asked jobseekers about their favorite Trump executive order or policy priority.
Workforce
Lawsuit offers new details of VA’s anti-union EO implementation
According to a legal challenge from AFGE’s National Veterans Affairs Council, VA Secretary Doug Collins failed to implement President Trump's executive orders aimed at ousting unions from most federal agencies when he issued exemptions to a handful of unions that had not challenged the administration in court.
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Workforce
IBEW: Trump’s anti-union EOs target unions expressly protected by law
The collective bargaining rights of prevailing rate employees at the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Southwestern Power Agency and the Western Area Power Administration are set by a different law than the one that covers most other federal employees, a new lawsuit argues.
Pay & Benefits
Growth slowed in most TSP funds in October
Despite a slowing rate of return, last month still marked the third consecutive month in which all portfolios in the Thrift Savings Plan all increased in value.
Oversight
Bisignano draws scrutiny as his former company falters
Just months after the Social Security commissioner and Internal Revenue Service CEO divested nearly $600 million in Fiserv investments, the business’ stock value tanked more than 40% on the news that Bisignano had issued overly rosy earnings guidance.
Workforce
Federal employee groups want to reopen government. They disagree on how
While the nation’s largest federal employee union called for Congress to enact House Republicans’ short-term funding deal, another association for federal workers and retirees warned it isn’t as “clean” as proponents say.
Workforce
Nation’s largest federal employee union calls for 'clean CR' with backpay guarantee to reopen government
Labor leaders said Monday that a House-passed proposal to fund the government through mid-November with additional language guaranteeing furloughed workers’ backpay is “the best we’re going to get.”
Pay & Benefits
Cost-of-living adjustments will stay relatively static in 2026
Civil Service Retirement System retirees will see a 2.8% increase to their defined-benefit annuities next year, compared to just a 2% bump for Federal Employees Retirement System annuitants.
