Army Pauses New Recruits, Helps Current Soldiers at Risk for Unemployment
The Army announced Monday that it would pause sending new recruits to basic training, although current recruits will continue their training. The announcement comes at the same time as Army representatives told Federal News Network that they are increasing re-enlistment opportunities for current soldiers to prevent them from slipping into unemployment when they return home.
Congress Looks to Modernization to Maintain Social Distancing
In a note to House member offices Monday, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi announced the introduction of electronic submission of floor documents in an effort to adhere to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance on social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic. The House also received praise from several stakeholders regarding the chamber’s passage of the Moving Our Democracy and Congressional Operations Towards Modernization (MODCOM) Resolution.
VA Penalty Determinations Under New Title 38 Authority Is Reviewable By MSPB, New Authority Cannot Be Retroactively Applied
Congress did not intend to give the Department of Veterans Affairs carte blanch to impose penalties against non-executive career employees without review, the Federal Circuit held last week.
Does My Federal Life Insurance Cover COVID-19?
WAEPA understands the fear a pandemic such as COVID-19 can cause. If you’re a Civilian Federal Employee, you may be concerned whether your life insurance would cover a death from the coronavirus.
DIY *NO SEW* FACE MASKS! (free and easy!)
The CDC now recommends wearing cloth face coverings when in public settings. Here is a quick guide to making your own at home with some basic household items.
Recognizing Ken Westlake, FMA’s Manager of the Year
On Monday, March 30, the Federal Managers Association (FMA) formally announced Mr. Kenneth A. Westlake as the winner of FMA’s Manager of the Year award. This award is presented annually to an outstanding manager or supervisor in the federal government who is a member of FMA. Nominees are scored based on workplace accomplishments and contributions, local community accomplishments, and FMA involvement at the chapter, regional, or national level.
Agency Work Shifts to Fit Pandemic Response
The coronavirus pandemic has required all hands to be on deck in the federal government. To match the president’s call for a whole of government response, federal agencies are shifting strategies and tweaking systems to better serve the American people.
IRS Issues Evacuation Order Ahead of Stimulus Response
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is preparing to administer the largest stimulus package in US history--remotely. In a notice to all employees this week, the Chief Human Capital Officer (CHCO) from the service directed all employees, regardless of telework eligibility, to work remotely to the maximum extent possible.
D.C. Circuit Will Consider McGahn House Testimony Case En Banc
After the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in a divided panel opinion that the Committee on the Judiciary of the U.S. House of Representatives (“Committee”) lacked standing to seek judicial enforcement of subpoenas against current and former Executive Branch officials, the Committee petitioned the appeals court for rehearing en banc. On March 13, 2020, the appeals court vacated the earlier judgment, and granted the Committee’s petition, agreeing to a rehearing of the matter before all of the judges of the appeals court.
Anxious About Coronavirus? Try These 10 Calming Techniques
A global pandemic is scary. Here are tips for handling coronavirus anxiety.
Inspiring Public Service
Tune in to FEDtalk this week to hear about the National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service. Joining our host, Tony Vergnetti, will be National Commissioners Debra Wada and Tom Kilgannon. They will discuss ways to revitalize service in our country.
OMB Provides Contractor Guidance
In guidance to agency leaders on Friday, Deputy Director of Management (DDM) at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Margaret Weichert urged agencies to work with their contractors to maximize telework access and provide greater flexibilities in terms of performance dates. The guidance encouraged agencies to leverage special emergency procurement authorities as well.
OPM Issues Hiring, Onboarding During COVID-19 Guidance
A March 20 memo to agency leaders signed by Michael Rigas, the current Acting Director of the Office of Personnel Management, notified agencies that they can use Schedule A excepted service appointments to fill temporary positions in response to the coronavirus outbreak, or COVID-19. The guidance allows agencies to use the hiring authority for one year or until the termination of the current public health emergency, with a possible one-year extension.
House Members Introduce Stimulus Package with Federal Workforce Provisions
A group of House Democrats have introduced a stimulus package that includes key provisions for federal employees to protect against the coronavirus. It has come under scrutiny by some House Republicans for also including federal workforce provisions seen as irrelevant to the issues surrounding the pandemic.
*BREAKING* Exclusive with Margaret Weichert about coronavirus and federal employee impact
Deputy Director of Management (DDM) at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Margaret Weichert discusses coronavirus impact on feds with Government Matters.
HHS Fends Off Cyber Attack as Agency Moves Toward Telework
Cyber-attackers attempted to disrupt the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services computer systems over the weekend. Attackers failed at penetrating the network due to what the department described as “extra protections” put in place to respond to the coronavirus outbreak. The National Security Council has warned the public and agencies of the possibility of increased cyber-attacks and disinformation campaigns as more people move to telework and look to the internet for updates on the coronavirus spread.
Federal Employee Unions, Associations React to Pandemic Response by Agencies
In a letter to agencies on Sunday, Acting Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Russell Vought called upon agencies to offer “maximum telework flexibilities” to all currently telework eligible employees and to utilize all existing authorities to offer telework to additional employees to the extent available due to the COVID-19 outbreak. In light of this news and other agency internal guidances, public employee groups have been speaking up to echo, approve, and criticize the actions of agencies to ensure adequate protections for their members.
Lawmakers Work with Agencies to Ensure Adequate Employee, Public Precautions Met
Lawmakers across the legislative branch have sent letters to the executive branch agencies in an attempt to gain more information and provide guidance on how the agencies should respond to the coronavirus pandemic.