Post, Like, Comment, Share – But Check Your Guidelines Every Year
We all like our social media, but is it worth losing your job over? In just a few short years, social media has become a ubiquitous commodity in the workplace. It allows for employees to make and support professional connections, to collaborate easily and effectively, and to share necessary information in real time.
GAO Warns Census Bureau to Address Risk Areas Prior 2020 Count
A new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) calls for immediate action by the Department of Commerce’s Census Bureau to avert risks in the 2020 Decennial Census.
GSA Introduces Tool for Agencies Moving Toward Fully Electronic Record Keeping
To assist agencies in the push toward fully electronic record keeping, the General Services Administration (GSA) has teamed up with the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) to create a new market research tool to help agencies identify the vendor services that are most suitable for their records management needs.
Budget Deal To Be Voted On Before August Recess, Appropriations Discussions Continue
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.
House Blocks OPM-GSA Merger
The House of Representatives passed the FY 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which included an amendment that would block the administration’s proposed reorganization of the Office of Personnel Management. This action comes just days after lawmakers wrote to Acting OPM Director Margaret Weichert to criticize “premature” discussions of furloughs.
Agencies Get Direct Hire Authority to Combat Opioid Epidemic
On Friday, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) announced an addition to the direct hire authority for agencies working to combat the opioid epidemic. OPM Acting Director Margaret Weichert noted this action builds on the administration's broader effort to combat the epidemic based on an executive order signed in 2017.
Lawmakers Push For Electric Vehicle Chargers At National Parks
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.
D.C. Circuit: Unions Must Use FLRA to Challenge Trump’s Fed Workforce Executive Orders
After the president issued three executive orders regarding relations between the federal government and its employees, several federal employee unions filed lawsuits in district court to challenge provisions in those orders. Those suits were consolidated at the district court in June 2018. In its August 2018 decision, the district court found several provisions in the executive orders unlawful, and ordered agencies to cease implementation of those provisions. The government appealed the district court decision, and on July 16, 2019, the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit found that the district court lacked jurisdiction to hear the unions’ claims, and vacated the district court judgment.
Measure Introduced To Increase Data Collection For LGBTQ Community
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.
5 Underrated Skills That Make You Invaluable in Federal Service
Federal service has its own thrills, challenges, and culture. Civilian Federal Employees are impacted by political decisions and evolving agency landscapes, all while working to create tangible, long-lasting impacts on the country. If you’re a Federal employee, you likely take pride in your dedication to public service. No matter where you are in your career, our list of 5 Underrated Skills That Make You Invaluable in Federal Service can help you add polish to your professional reputation.
Congress Considers Continuing Resolution to Avoid Potential Shutdown
A group of lawmakers wrote the White House last week urging against the use of a continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government for FY2020. The CR option has been floated in recent weeks due to Congress’ inability to agree on spending proposals, which has increased fears of a looming government shutdown. While some have already proposed a CR as a possible solution to appropriations battles, others fear the impact a CR will have on military readiness.
Department of Energy Partners with Private Sector on Pipeline Security
The Department of Energy (DOE) has joined a consortium that will work to establish guidelines for increasing industrial control systems (ICS) cybersecurity. The goal is to better protect U.S. pipelines from cybersecurity threats. Pipelines, particularly those that carry resources such as oil and natural gas, have become a potential target for attacks as technology develops.
FMA Working to Protect DOD’s Probationary Period
In the Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) (P.L. 114-92), Congress gave the Department of Defense (DOD) authority to institute a two-year probationary period. FMA supported the change. Now there’s an effort currently underway to revert to a one-year probationary period via the FY2020 NDAA, and FMA is helping lead the charge for DOD to maintain its current policy.
Can You Identify with a Fellow Federal Manager?
Bad things happen to good, conscientious, hardworking federal managers. This week, we highlight the specific exposures of IRS managers in the hope that you will be able to identify your own vulnerabilities.
CARE Act Gains Traction With Support From Medical Experts
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.
White House Updates AI Strategy
The White House has updated the National AI Research and Development Strategic Plan to emphasize partnerships between the public and private sector. The National Plan was released in February to serve as a national roadmap for handling the research and development of artificial intelligence (AI). The update encourages agencies to expand public-private partnerships to advance AI.
Whistleblowers Testify that VA Retaliation Remains Rampant
Whistleblowers within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) testified before Congress that retaliation against whistleblowers continues to pervade the agency long after Congress passed the VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act. Whistleblower and whistleblower rights groups raised concerns regarding the Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection (OAWP) created under the law.
Ethics and Accountability for Government Attorneys
Tune in to FEDtalk this week for a discussion of ethics and accountability in the federal government. The guests will cover the Professional Review process for government attorneys and other government ethics considerations.