Rep Introduces Legislation To Give Press Greater Access To Executive Branch
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.
IRS Releases Six-Year Modernization Plan
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released a six-year plan to improve information technology systems and services to taxpayers. The plan includes four “modernization pillars” that the agency plans to expand upon over time based on emerging needs, priorities, and partnerships with the tax community. Ultimately though, the plan depends on Congressional funding.
FCC Launches Fund to Bring Broadband to Rural America
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is taking steps to combat the digital divide with a $20 billion rural broadband fund. Over the next ten years, this fund will be used to assist rural communities in bringing high speed internet access to their areas.
Bill Introduced To Reward DEA Agents With Foreign Language Skills
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.
Supreme Court Denies Certiorari on MSPB Jurisdiction Case
Two United States Postal Service employees challenged MSPB dismissals, for lack of jurisdiction, of their removal appeals. The MSPB found that the employees did not have appeal rights because they did not meet the definition of “employee” under 5 U.S.C. § 7511(a)(1)(B)(ii), which requires one year of current continuous service. The United States Court of Appeals affirmed the MSPB’s dismissals. On April 1, 2019, the United States Supreme Court denied the petition for writ of certiorari appealing the appeals court decision, thereby affirming and making final the dismissal of the employees’ MSPB removal appeals.
Spring has sprung… And so has an allegation.
Allegations can spring upon you at any point as a federal employee. If you were informed of an allegation being made against you tomorrow, would you be prepared?
Fitting Leadership Development into Busy Schedules
Even though senior leaders know they need to keep their skills sharp through continued development opportunities, finding the time, let alone the budget, for training and development is a constant challenge.
More Data Needed to Understand Impact of New Technologies on Workforce, GAO Finds
Fear has loomed for quite some time regarding the impact of automation on the U.S. workforce, and a recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report only raises more questions. While the GAO was able to gather some information regarding the impact of advanced technologies on employment trends, lacunae persist. To fill these data gaps, the GAO requests that the Department of Labor (DOL) use existing or new data collection methods to better track how the workforce is impacted by new technologies.
NASA Program Awards 18 Innovation Grants for 2019
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has announced 18 “potentially revolutionary” technology concepts selected for funding through the NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program. These concepts include a range of technologies that could transform human and robotic exploration outside Earth.
Federal Employee Paid Leave Bill Introduced In Senate
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.
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.