Oversight
Supreme Court to Examine Burden of Proof for Age Discrimination Lawsuits at Federal Agencies
If the high court finds in favor of a Veterans Affairs pharmacist, older federal employees could have an easier time making the case for discrimination.
Management
NTEU Blasts ‘Nonsensical’ Proposed OPM Rule Easing Firing of Feds
The federal employee union accused the Trump administration of forcing managers to focus on firing employees, rather than helping them succeed in their positions.
Pay & Benefits
One Agency Finds a Way to Provide Paid Parental Leave, and More
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Management
Trump: Workforce Orders Do Not Apply to Union Contracts Signed During Injunction
The Trump administration will honor collective bargaining agreements implemented during the 10-month period when key provisions of three controversial executive orders were blocked by a federal court decision.
Management
OPM Urges Agencies to Abandon Disciplinary Guidelines for Poor Performers
The Trump administration wants to give managers more discretion to pick an appropriate punishment for a given situation.
Pay & Benefits
Advocates: Congress 'Very Close' to Passing Paid Family Leave for Feds
Union officials and members are hopeful a Defense policy bill provision providing 12 weeks of paid leave for the birth or adoption of a child and other medical issues will make it into law.
Pay & Benefits
Federal Retirees Will Get 1.6% COLA in 2020
Although less than last year, a consumer price index increase of less than 2% means the vast majority of former federal workers will see the same increase to their defined benefit pensions.
Pay & Benefits
OPM Promotes Work-Life Balance, Retirements Decline, and More
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Oversight
Employees Report Threatening Anti-LGBT Harassment, Retaliation at National Science Foundation
An outside investigator recently substantiated allegations that a career manager made sexually explicit jokes and bullied LGBT employees.
Management
HHS Engaged in Bad Faith Bargaining With Union, Arbitrator Finds
An independent arbitrator ordered the department and labor officials to return to the bargaining table, effectively invalidating a contract mandated by the Federal Service Impasses Panel.
Management
Here’s How a USDA Science Agency’s Relocation Will Reduce Its Productivity
Most Economic Research Service mandatory reports will go out on time, albeit with less information, but other reports will be delayed or discontinued, internal memo says.
Management
OPM Calls on Agencies to Streamline Federal Firing
Agencies have until March 2020 to eliminate “unnecessary barriers to addressing poor performance,” and even stricter rules are likely on the way.
Pay & Benefits
How to Recruit the Next Generation of Feds: Better Pay, Benefits
Young people are increasingly looking for work-life balance measures like paid family leave and telework, stakeholders and experts said Wednesday.
Management
Appeals Court Declines to Rehear Case Against Trump's Workforce Executive Orders
The decision marks a major blow to federal employee unions, which must now wait for agencies to implement three controversial executive orders and then challenge them before the Federal Labor Relations Authority.
Management
Labor Groups and Lawmakers Vow to Fight 'All-out Assault' on Unions and Federal Employee Rights
Hundreds of federal workers rallied on Capitol Hill to protest the Trump administration’s efforts to roll back employee benefits and protections.
Management
Shorts Scare Could Mark New Front in Federal Labor-Management Conflict
Union leaders cancelled a passive protest scheduled for Monday but voted to take legal action after the Social Security Administration threatened to discipline employees.
Oversight
Former VA Union Local Official Sentenced for Embezzlement
A former treasurer of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 331 pleaded guilty in May to stealing more than $80,000 from the union.
Pay & Benefits
Lawmakers Move to Protect Federal Employees' Credit Ratings During Shutdowns
Measures would block shutdown-related credit downgrades and encourage financial institutions to be lenient with federal employees during appropriations lapses.
Management
