NASA Crowdsourcing Initiative Gives Employees Chance to Take On the Pandemic
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is bringing back an old crowdsourcing initiative to allow their innovative employees to contribute to solving problems caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The “NASA@Work” initiative has been used previously to gather employee ideas about a problem facing the agency. Since a new initiative launched on April 1 to crowdsource ideas for combatting the coronavirus, over 200 employee ideas have been submitted.
Lawmakers Seek to Codify Interagency Cooperation on the Coronavirus
Lawmakers are seeking to codify into law cooperation between federal agencies to support the scientific community’s efforts to track, research, and prevent the spread of diseases like coronavirus. The Computing Opportunities to Vanquish Infectious Diseases Research Act of 2020 (COVID Research Act) authorizes a White House interagency working group and directs the group to develop a national strategy to address the disease outbreak, among other priorities.
Federal Circuit: “Retaliatory” Investigations Not Personnel Actions Under WPA
A Department of Veterans Affairs medical center director made multiple protected disclosures to the VA Office of Inspector General about agency spending and contracts in October 2013. He repeated those concerns in a conference call in January 2014. His second line supervisor was on that conference call. The second-line supervisor, several weeks later, appointed an Administrative Investigation Board (AIB) to investigate inappropriate relationships with subordinate staff, and investigators treated the medical center director as a subject of that investigation.
4 Hours of Ambient Study Music to Concentrate
Concentrating at home can be hard. Here are some smooth sounds to get you through the workday without words to distract you.
White House Releases Guidance on Reopening Federal Agencies
The White House has rolled out its plan to begin reopening the country following the shutdown of non-essential businesses in nearly every state due to the coronavirus pandemic. To go along with guidelines for state, local, and tribal governments and the private sector for reopening the country, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), in conjunction with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), has released guidance for agencies on actions they may take to return to normal operations while still prioritizing adherence to local advisories.
White House Releases Guidance on Contractor Reimbursement
On Friday, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released a memo to agency leaders on additional avenues for compensating contractors available through the CARES Act stimulus package passed last month. The guidance is described as a supplement to previous guidance on acquisition responsibilities during the COVID-19 response.
Senate Passes Deal to Replenish Small Business Loan Program
The White House and Senate and House Leadership indicate that the groups have reached a deal to replenish the loan program for small businesses that has been depleted during the coronavirus response. The deal totals more than $480 billion for various funding needs for healthcare and loan programs and was passed in the Senate by voice vote today.
Free Webinar on Exploring Mindset During the Pandemic
Join the Senior Executives Association, Treasury Executive Institute, and The Arbinger Institute, for a Free Webinar on April 28th from 12pm- 1pm focused on Exploring Mindset During the Pandemic.
Supreme Court: Federal Sector Personnel Actions Must Be Free of Any Consideration of Age
On April 6, 2020, the United States Supreme Court issued its decision in Babb v. Wilkie. The question in this case was whether the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA) requires federal sector employees to show that age was a “but-for” cause of the personnel action taken, rather than merely show that it was tainted by any discrimination at any stage. Previously, the court interpreted the private-sector provision to require “but-for” causation. In its April 6 decision, the Court held that “[t]he plain meaning of § 633a(a) demands that personnel actions be untainted by any consideration of age.”
Financial Help and Other Resources for Feds Dealing with COVID-19
We want to be sure you know how to receive help and access resources through the Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund (FEEA), the only 501c3 charity by and for federal civilian employees. We encourage you to share this information with other federal employees and contact FEEA with any questions at emergency@feea.org.
Be MORE productive in Lockdown with DOGS: Work from home hacks for pet parents!
Working with pets becoming a pain? Here are tips for adjusting to your canine coworkers during the pandemic.
OMB Issues Guidance for Agencies on Implementing Coronavirus Stimulus Packages
The Office of Management and Budget released guidance Friday to assist federal agencies in implementing a series of legislative items relating to the coronavirus pandemic response. The guidance is intended to facilitate a rapid delivery of services and funds to the American people while ensuring transparent spending of taxpayer funds.
IRS to Launch New Online Portals for Tracking Stimulus Payments
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is preparing to launch two new portals to assist millions of Americans in getting and tracking their stimulus checks. Under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), the IRS is tasked with delivering millions of Americans Economic Impact Payments (EIPs) of $1200 to ease the economic burdens associated with the pandemic. For individuals who filed their taxes in 2018 and 2019 using direct deposit, the EIPs will be delivered via direct deposit, but for millions of other Americans who have not filed taxes in recent years, getting their checks will require more effort.
House Oversight Democrats Release Priority List for Feds During Coronavirus Response
Chairwoman of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, Rep. Carolyn Maloney, and Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform Subcommittee on Government Operations, Rep. Gerry Connolly, wrote a letter to House and Senate leadership outlining the priority items needed for federal employees to further facilitate the coronavirus response.
When Overwhelmed is an Understatement – Knowledge is Power
“I’m overwhelmed” has never been echoed by federal employees more than it is right now. And it’s not just CDC, FDA, and NIH employees. BOP, USDA, USPS, ICE, EPA and every other agency employee is calling FEDS Protection with questions regarding concern over decisions and actions/inactions in the performance of duties or managing work, programs, or employees.
Workers File Class Action Lawsuit for COVID-19 Hazard Pay
In a complaint filed in the United States Court of Federal Claims, five federal employees, on behalf of themselves and all others similarly situated, alleged that they performed work “with or in close proximity to objects, surfaces, and/or individuals infected with the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”).” On March 27, 2020, in their complaint, the employees alleged they were entitled to, but did not receive, hazardous duty pay differential for exposure to virulent biologicals set forth in federal regulations.
Here to Help: Resources for Feds During COVID-19
On FEDtalk this week, join host Tony Vergnetti to hear about some of the important resources available to federal employees and recommendations for federal employees during these times of financial uncertainty and vulnerability brought on by the COVID-19 crisis. It is especially critical for federal employees to obtain information that is credible and easy to understand.
COVID-19: When to Seek Care for COVID-19
Wondering if you should go to the hospital for COVID-19 related symptoms? Here are tips from the CDC on when to seek care.