President’s Pay Agent Releases Annual Report, New Locality Pay Area
The President’s Pay Agent has approved of a series of recommendations from the Federal Salary Council in a report released by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) last month. Among these recommendations is the creation of a new locality pay area. The report also called upon Congress to reform the federal compensation process to be more reflective of how the total compensation federal employees receive compares to the private sector.
OPM Issues Proposed Rule on Rehiring Former Feds
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has issued a proposed rule to allow agencies to rehire former federal employees without competition to positions at any grade level for which the individual is qualified. The prosed rule aims to provide agencies with greater flexibility to recruit former employees who have developed their skillsets outside of government back to federal service.
New FEEA Scholarship for First Generation College Students
We are pleased to announce that, thanks to the generous support of the Bill Bransford Fund and the law firm Shaw Bransford & Roth, FEEA will begin awarding a new scholarship to first generation college students who are the children of eligible federal employees or are federal employees themselves.* The award will be $7,500, with the first one to be awarded with our 2020 scholarship competition.
FMA Celebrates FY20 Funding and NDAA in the New Year
A year ago, the federal government was mired in a partial government shutdown, uncertainty, and frustration. And just a month ago, in early December 2019, the Federal Managers Association (FMA) expressed significant concerns about the costs of continuing resolutions on the federal workforce and the impact on day-to-day operations for managers. But a lot can happen in a month, and FMA is both proud and optimistic as we begin a new year.
Bill Signed into Law to Expand Grants for Early STEM Education
The bipartisan Building Blocks of STEM Act was signed into law just before the Congress’ holiday recess to encourage the National Science Foundation (NSF) to improve and expand STEM education initiatives in schools around the country. The legislation, introduced by U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), focuses on early childhood STEM education and introducing more women to computer science programs.
Preparing for 2020 with Public Employee Groups
Tune in to FEDtalk this week to hear from public employee groups about their plans for 2020. Guests from across the federal community will discuss the biggest issues of 2019 spilling into the new year, policy priorities for their organization, and important events every federal employee should look out for this year.
How many introverted types are in leadership? World Introvert Day 2020
Introverts can make great leaders. For World Introversion Day, here is a glimpse into introverted leadership around the world.
Lawmakers Reach Bipartisan Deal on Spending Bills to Avert Year End Shutdown, Grant Pay Raise
Congressional leaders announced an agreement with the White House last week to fund all federal agencies through September 2020. The funding legislation, split into two minibus bills, passed the House on Tuesday and will need to be passed in the Senate and signed by the president before Friday to avert a government shutdown.
How To Ask for Time Off
Taking time off for the holidays does not have to be tense, as long as you are prepared. Here are tips for asking for time off.
Survey Identifies Importance of Proper Workplace Culture
The Eagle Hill Consulting Federal Workplace Culture Survey, conducted through the Government Business Council (GBC), identified key opportunity areas to improve federal workforce culture and the culture’s impact on mission delivery. The report found significant misalignment between organizations’ policies and core values and sought to explore why and how that misalignment plays out in the federal workforce.
Small Business Administration Completes Successful CDM Pilot
The Small Business Administration (SBA) just completed a continuous diagnostics and mitigation (CDM) pilot program with the Department of Homeland Security to ensure data on all devices are secure.
2019 Wrap-Up Reporter Roundtable
Tune in to FEDtalk this week for our end of the year federal employee
reporter roundtable. Guests from across the reporter community will take a look
back on the big events of 2019, discuss current events, and prepare for 2020.
Overlooking the Ocean in Rhode Island
Huey and Maya visit the Ocean State and find that Rhode Island has an unexpected density of federal sites. They learn about NOAA grants, wildlife refuges, and a historic Coast Guard lighthouse.
4 Tips to Keep You Sane at the Open Space Office
Sharing an open office space can be hard, but as they become the norm, here are tips for respectful survival.
Senate, House Committees Complete Conference on NDAA
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.
FAA Announces End of Hazardous Weather Advisory Program
In a final noticed issued by the Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the agency announced the end of the Hazardous Inflight Weather Advisory Service (HIWAS). The conclusion of this program aligns with an effort to modernize the administration.
D.C. Circuit: No Requirement to Bargain on CBP Performance Appraisal Changes
The National Treasury Employees Union appealed the Federal Labor Relations Authority’s denial of its negotiability petition related to changes in the number of different possible rating levels for its members at U.S. Customs and Border Protection. On December 3, 2019, the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit denied the union’s appeal, finding instead that the FLRA’s decision was “based on a permissible and reasonable interpretation of the Statute,” and that it was “consistent with well-established precedent.”
GAO Introduces Technology Assessment Handbook for Agencies
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is interested in assisting agencies in determining if technology is right for them. The GAO’s new Science, Technology, Assessment and Analytics Office has created a guide to walk agencies through determining the risks and benefits associated with implementing new technologies. The GAO also provides information on how implementation can be done properly.