Executive Order 13839: Reflections on Accountability and Streamlined Disciplinary Actions
As we quickly approach the one-year anniversary of the Executive Order Promoting Accountability & Streamlining Removal Procedures Consistent with Merit System Principles, we at FEDS Protection believe that while the Executive Order may not have had the impact on the overall federal workforce many anticipated, the spillover effects on the lives of federal managers has left them vulnerable to unprecedented rates of discrimination, retaliation, and whistleblower reprisal allegations.
Long Term Planning and Supplemental Insurance Options for Feds
Weighing the pros and cons of various insurance options can be difficult. Tune into FEDtalk this Friday for a clear explanation of the long term planning and supplemental insurance options available to federal employees.
Bipartisan PFAS Accountability Act Seeks To Involve Federal Agencies In Water Contamination Cleanup
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 CIO Council Launches Coding Challenge
The Federal Chief Information Officers (CIO) Council has launched a new effort to attract top information technology (IT) talent to the federal government. The Council’s coding challenge builds upon a common private sector hiring technique to allow potential government employees to showcase their coding skills while facing real world tech challenges.
Federal Executive Boards Release Annual Report for FY 2018
The Federal Executive Board (FEB) National Network has produced an annual report detailing the groups’ achievements during FY 2018. The Boards connect strategic partners across federal, state, and local government to facilitate cooperation on various initiatives. This year’s report focused on three primary issue areas: emergency preparedness, employee safety, and security; workforce development and support; and strategic partnerships.
Bipartisan PFAS Accountability Act Seeks To Involve Federal Agencies In Water Contamination Cleanup
Lawmakers in the House of Representatives passed a temporary funding measure, or continuing resolution (CR), to fund the government until December 20. House members voted Tuesday with the hopes of moving the legislation to the Senate for a vote later in the week and onto the president’s desk for signature before the current CR expires at midnight on Thursday.
Bipartisan PFAS Accountability Act Seeks To Involve Federal Agencies In Water Contamination Cleanup
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.
Customer Feedback Legislation Reintroduced In 116th Congress
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.
How I Save Over $427 a Year with WAEPA
During my tenure as a Civilian Federal Employee, I was tuned into various Federal programs, like the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS), health options during Open Season, and other auxiliary benefits. I was not aware, however, that Feds have options beyond FEGLI for life insurance coverage. It was only until I joined the private sector that I heard about WAEPA, a nonprofit that’s been exclusively serving Civilian Federal Employees with Group Term Life Insurance* for more than 75 years.
White House Recognizes ‘Exceptional’ Members of Federal Workforce
On Monday the White House announced recipients of the Gears of Government Award, intended to highlight dedicated public servants in the federal workforce. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) honored 24 federal employees at seven federal agencies with President’s Awards.
GAO Highlights Necessary Improvements to Human Capital Management
In a recent report, the the Government Accountability Office (GAO) outlines how agencies can combat these struggles by identifying key trends impacting the federal workforce.
Specialists Scan The Security Clearance System On FEDtalk
Navigating the security clearance process in an evolving world can be difficult. FEDtalk brought together security clearance specialists from the federal government, industry, and personnel side to discuss how the process is changing and how those changes impact applicants. Joining host Tony Vergnetti was the Director of the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA), Perry Russell-Hunter; Executive Vice President and Counsel to the Professional Services Council, Alan Chvotkin; and Partner at Shaw Bransford & Roth, Chris Keeven.
Federal Circuit Skips Quorum-Less Board, Remands to MSPB Administrative Judge
After waiting years for the adjudication of his case without a quorum at the MSPB, a former federal employee requested relief from the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. On April 30, 2019, the appeals court granted his motion.
Customer Feedback Legislation Reintroduced In 116th Congress
Lawmakers in the House of Representatives passed a temporary funding measure, or continuing resolution (CR), to fund the government until December 20. House members voted Tuesday with the hopes of moving the legislation to the Senate for a vote later in the week and onto the president’s desk for signature before the current CR expires at midnight on Thursday.
Giving Feds Credit for Temporary Service Performed is the Right Thing To Do
On Thursday, May 2, Representatives Derek Kilmer (D-WA) and Tom Cole (R-OK) introduced the Federal Retirement Fairness Act (H.R. 2478). The bill would allow Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) employees an opportunity to make catch-up retirement contributions for service performed in temporary positions. This has been one of FMA’s legislative priorities for several years.
Sussing Out the Security Clearance System
Last week, President Trump signed an executive order officially moving all security clearance functions under the purview of the Department of Defense. To find out what this change means for the process, the backlog, and the future, tune in to FEDtalk this Friday to have all of your questions answered.
OPM Issues Final Rule on Compensatory Time Off for Religious Holidays
In a rule released on April 29, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) clarified how agencies should handle religious holidays and compensation for employees when the holidays do not coincide with a federal holiday. Under the rule, federal employees will be able to take paid time off for religious holidays as long as they work overtime at their normal pay rate to compensate for the time missed.
All Security Clearances Officially Move to DOD
In an executive order signed on April 24, President Trump moved all background investigations for security clearances to the Department of Defense (DOD), a long-anticipated action. As part of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2018 (NDAA), the DOD was given expanded control over the security clearance process. Rather than having the process remain split between the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the DOD, this executive order transfers the entire process to one agency.