VA Manchester Healthcare System's - Historic Virtual Memorial Day Program
This year’s Historic Memorial Day Program was held virtually.
OMB Officials Discuss Plan for Recalling Federal Employees
Officials at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) sat down with GovExec to discuss the plan for recalling federal employees to their offices. Officials indicate that the government will take a piecemeal approach based on different regions and agency needs.
NASA Develops Strategy for STEM Recruitment
Like the private sector, the federal government struggles to recruit talent in STEM fields. In the May 2020 Issues of Merit by the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), the MSPB highlighted NASA’s success in recruiting STEM occupations and outlined the ways in which other agencies can recruit additional STEM employees.
Legislators Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expedite Hiring of Pandemic Recovery Watchdog
Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Banking Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-ID), and Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) have introduced legislation to boost oversight of trillions of dollars in taxpayer funded pandemic relief by helping the special watchdog quickly onboard oversight staff. The Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery (SIGPR) Expedited Hiring Authority Act allows the SIGPR to bypass the current government hiring process to allow the office to quickly ramp up oversight operations.
FLRA Denies VA’s Request for Reconsideration on Accountability Act Implementation
The Department of Veterans Affairs filed a request for reconsideration after the Federal Labor Relations Authority (the Authority) found for the American Federation of Government Employees (the Union) on November 20, 2019. In the 2019 decision, the Authority found that the agency had a duty to bargain with the Union over the implementation of Accountability Act provisions providing the Agency with additional power to address performance and misconduct concerns. On May 11, 2020, the FLRA denied the agency’s request for reconsideration of the 2019 decision.
Don't Recycle PPE
With more and more Americans utilizing PPE, the EPA has some tips for what you can and cannot recycle.
Merit Systems Protection Board Releases Report on State of the Federal HR Workforce
The May 2020 U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) Office of Policy and Evaluation research brief entitled the State of the Federal HR Workforce: Changes and Challenges provides an overview of how Human Resources (HR) in the federal government has evolved over the last 25 years to become a consistent high-risk area for the federal government, based on oversight assessments.
IBM, SEA Release Special Report on Measuring Management Quality, Announce Task Force on Assessing Management Quality
The Senior Executives Association announced a new task force last week to develop management assessment models for federal agencies. The task force marks the second phase of the Project on Assessing Management Quality. The first phase recently concluded with a special report on how agencies can determine if their offices are well managed.
Federal Circuit: Arbitration of Removal Bound by Federal Circuit Rules, not FLRA Rules
A Department of Defense teacher employed in a school for children of military personnel was removed for misconduct in 2012. The teacher challenged her removal through the union’s negotiated grievance process in 2014, established via the union’s collective bargaining agreement with the agency. In 2018, the agency argued for the first time that the union’s request for arbitration was untimely.
Legislation Introduced to Protect Annual Leave Benefits for Frontline Employees
Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) has introduced the Federal Frontline Worker Leave Protection Act to ensure that employees responding to the COVID-19 pandemic do not lose annual leave due to an inability to take time off. The legislation is currently co-sponsored by Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA), Stephen Lynch (D-MA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), and Jamie Raskin (D-MD).
Federal Employees on the Front Lines
On FEDtalk this week, join host Natalia Castro to hear the stories of the federal employees working on the front lines while millions of Americans stay at home. From the Postal Service to Federal Veterinarians to the IRS employees delivering stimulus checks to the American people, federal employees are keeping the nation afloat during these trying times.
Honoring Interior’s Law Enforcement
This week is National Police Week. Here is an inside look into the Department of the Interior’s law enforcement components.
Show Mom You Care: Have a Conversation about Long Term Care Insurance
This Mother’s Day, as you look back at the many years your mother cared for you, consider the possibility that she may require care herself someday. Long term care insurance can help ensure that your mother will get the care she needs, should there come a time when she requires help managing some of the activities we associate with independent living.
Department of Labor Issues Guidance on FECA Claims
The Department of Labor (DOL) has issued guidance for federal employees for filing claims under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act due to the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). All federal employees who develop COVID-19 while in performance of their federal duties are entitled to workers’ compensation coverage.
Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund Expands Hardship Assistance Program
The Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund (FEEA) has expanded their Coronavirus Hardship Program to provide additional relief to families experiencing financial hardship due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation.
Rep. Wexton Introduces Legislation to Utilize Agency Collaboration to Combat Domestic Violence During COVID-19
Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) has introduced legislation to require the Department of Justice (DOJ) to work with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop guidance and training for law enforcement to identify and combat domestic violence during the coronavirus pandemic.
Federal Circuit Upholds MSPB Decision on PTSD Defense
A Department of Veterans Affairs employee challenged a suspension through an Individual Right of Action, claiming whistleblower retaliation, and also challenged his removal from federal employment through an MSPB appeal.
Federal Managers Answer the Call of Public Service in that Hour of Our Nation’s Need
Last week, Government Executive reported more than 10,000 federal employees have contracted Covid-19. This news came as overall confirmed positive cases in the United States passed one million. FMA members are doing their part to help stop the spread, while finding and creating ways to accomplish their missions and provide the vital services on which the American people rely.