Intelligence Community to Become Model for Hiring People with Disabilities
Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats has issued an Intelligence Community (IC) Policy Guidance calling for greater focus on hiring, retaining, and promoting individuals with disabilities. This directive builds upon a previous IC Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity Enterprise Strategy which established goals for increasing inclusion within the IC from 2015 to 2020.
Coast Guard Struggles to Retain Women, According to Study
A newly released RAND Corporation study finds that the Coast Guard struggles to retain and advance women due to an array of gender related issues. The study used focus group analysis, statistical data, and relevant previous studies to identify the root causes for attrition of women in the Coast Guard and to develop recommendations to “help mitigate identified barriers to retaining women.” The U.S. Coast Guard Office of Diversity and Inclusion requested the study.
Federal Pay Raise: 4 Things You Need to Know
During the first few weeks of the shutdown, many Feds were disappointed by news of an executive order to freeze pay for Civilian Federal Employees in 2019. Then, in an unexpected turn, Congress passed a federal pay raise in a funding bill on February 15, effectively overturning the freeze. On March 28, President Trump signed an executive order officially implementing the change. In case you’re confused by the complicated discussions around federal pay, here are four things you need to know about the raise:
2020 Census Takes Center Stage On FEDtalk
Last week on FEDtalk, host Natalia Castro discussed the 2020 Census with Deborah Stempowski, Chief of Decennial Census Management Division, Beth Lynk, Campaign Director for Census Counts at the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, and Mary Jo Hoeksema, Director of Government and Public Affairs at the Population Association of America. The group discussed the importance of the census and ways to ensure the 2020 Census moves forward without delay or issue.
State Cybersecurity Top Concern For Lawmakers
The NDAA summary report released by the committees includes several provisions impacting the civilian federal workforce. Most notably, the conference agreement provides 12 weeks of paid parental leave to all federal civilian employees.
Third Circuit: Federal Employees May Bring Suits for Retaliation Under Title VII
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit recently held that a federal employee may bring suit against the Secretary of Labor for retaliation under Title VII, but declined to decide on the limits of such a claim.
The 2020 Census Spectacular
What do you know about the 2020 Census? Tune in to FEDtalk this Friday, April 5 for a comprehensive discussion of the mission, planning, and execution of next year's big count.
President Signs Executive Order on Federal Pay Raise
Last week President Trump codified the average 1.9 percent pay raise for federal employees with an executive order. This move comes over a month after Congress appropriated the funds in 2019 appropriations legislation. This executive order effectively voids the president’s previous executive order calling for a pay freeze for all federal employees.
Department of Energy Shifts Focus to Hydropower, Marine Energy
This week the Department of Energy announced up to $26.1 million in funding “to drive innovative industry-led technology solutions to advance the marine and hydrokinetics industry and increase hydropower’s ability to serve as a flexible grid resource.” The news comes during Waterpower Week in Washington, a time when the National Hydropower Association and the International Marine Renewable Energy Conference meet in the nation’s capital to discuss ways to better use energy from water.
Bipartisan IRS Reform Bill Introduced
The NDAA summary report released by the committees includes several provisions impacting the civilian federal workforce. Most notably, the conference agreement provides 12 weeks of paid parental leave to all federal civilian employees.
Federal Circuit: Arbitrator’s Decision on Attorney Fees Award Requires Explanation
Last week, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit vacated an arbitrator’s decision denying a union’s request for attorney fees accrued in an arbitration proceeding since the arbitrator’s award decision failed to explain his reasoning for denying fees.
After GAO Report, FMA Urges Congress to Provide Necessary Resources for IRS
As an organization that represents managers, supervisors, and executives in the federal government, including at the Internal Revenue Service, it was difficult, but necessary, to take a close look at the Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on the IRS released last week. GAO was asked to “review IRS’s enterprise-wide strategic workforce planning efforts,” and its finding of serious risks to IRS’s mission should not come as a surprise.
FEMA Exposes 2.3 Million Disaster Survivors to Potential Fraud
A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) report has concluded that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) failed to take necessary steps to protect personal data and released that data to unauthorized contractors. FEMA has been taking steps to address the issue.
Federal Law Enforcement Organization Sues OPM Over Retirement Changes
The Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA) has filed suit against the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) for their 2016 reinterpretation of federal retirement calculations. FLEOA alleges that the changes caused members of the association to lose significant retirement benefits and, in some cases, be required to back pay the OPM thousands of dollars.
Tax Season Special On FEDtalk
Last week on FEDtalk, experts from the tax community joined hosts Tony Vergnetti and Natalia Castro to discuss how this year’s tax season is moving along. Along for the ride were Tom Burger, Executive Director of the Professional Managers Association, and Edward Karl, Vice President of Taxation at the American Institute of CPAs. The show discussed ways both the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the American people can have the smoothest filing season possible.
Congressman Introduces Plan To Decentralize The Federal Government
The NDAA summary report released by the committees includes several provisions impacting the civilian federal workforce. Most notably, the conference agreement provides 12 weeks of paid parental leave to all federal civilian employees.
Brief Delay In Reporting Sexual Harassment Doesn’t Negate Complaint, Federal Circuit Affirms
A one-day delay in reporting an unwelcomed kiss in the workplace did not render the complaint un-credible, an administrative judge held and the Federal Circuit recently affirmed.
Five Employees in the Wrong Place at the Wrong Time
Did you know that if you are directly accused of wrongdoing, particularly in an OIG or internal management investigation into allegations of wrongdoing, that you will not be assigned an agency attorney?