Burnout - Causes, symptoms and treatment
Working hard can sometimes lead to burn-out. Here are signs to watch for and how to get help before the situation gets worse.
Congress Requests IG Oversight on Agency Reopenings
House Government Operations Subcommittee Chairman Gerry Connolly (D-VA) sent letters to the Inspector General (IG) offices of 24 federal agencies requesting they develop assessment plans for reviewing their agencies’ plans for reopening. The letters criticize a lack of cooperation with oversight bodies from the Office of Management and Budget and Office of Personnel Management.
60 Minutes Covers Impact of Lack of Quorum at MSPB
This week on 60 Minutes, Norah O’Donnell and the CBS investigative team did a deep dive into the federal agency responsible for providing federal employees with appeal rights should they be disciplined, demoted, or fired: the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). Since 2017, the MSPB has lacked a quorum of board members, preventing it from fully functioning. For over a year, the board has not had any members at all.
Senators Introduce Coronavirus Oversight and Recovery Ethics (CORE) Act
A group of Democratic Senators has introduced the Coronavirus Oversight and Recovery Ethics (CORE) Act to enhance oversight, accountability, and transparency related to the federal government’s COVID-19 response. The legislation has gained the support of 57 organizations, 8 Senate original co-sponsors and 18 House co-sponsors.
Inside Home Healthcare
On FEDtalk this week, join host Tony Vergnetti for an inside look into the home healthcare industry. Guests will be discussing how the coronavirus pandemic has changed the landscape for long term planning and how healthcare workers are responding to ensure patients well cared for and kept safe.
Shopping for Food and Other Household Essentials
Leaving the house for basic groceries can spark concern during COVID-19. Here are tips from the CDC for handling household shopping.
Supreme Court: Title VII Protects Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender Employees
On June 15, 2020, the Supreme Court of the United States, by a 6-3 vote, held that an employer who fires an individual merely for being gay or transgender violates Title VII’s prohibition on sex discrimination.
VA Employee Asks Eleventh Circuit To Ease EEO Reprisal Legal Standard For Federal Employees
FEDmanager recently reported the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Babb v. Wilkie. In Babb, the Supreme Court reversed a panel of U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit and held the prohibition against age discrimination in the federal workplace was broader than that applied in the private sector. We update you now that plaintiff Noris Babb is requesting the full Eleventh Circuit to apply the Supreme Court’s holding to lower the bar to establish EEO reprisal claims in the federal workplace.
Union Points to Problems with Emergency Leave Implementation
Federal employee unions are taking issue with procedures in place at some agencies for obtaining access to Emergency Paid Sick Leave granted to federal employees under the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (EPSLA). Under EPSLA, all federal employees meeting certain coronavirus-related circumstances are eligible for up to 80 hours of emergency paid sick leave starting April 1.
State Department to Begin First Phase of Returning Employees to DC Metro Area Offices
Officials at the Department of State have revealed to Federal new Network that employees will soon begin the first step in a multi-phased approach to reopening offices and resuming full operations. The agency is “closely monitoring” local conditions in the Washington, DC metro area and expects phase one of its reopening plan to begin Monday, June 15.
Democrats Introduce Policing Reform Package with Provisions Impacting Federal Law Enforcement
Congressional Democrats introduced a legislative package this week to address policing issues as law enforcement accountability makes national headlines. The 135-page package entitled the Justice in Policing Act includes a host of changes to federal and state law enforcement practices and increases federal oversight over state and local police departments.
Women In Federal IT & Cyber Conference Panel #1: Designing a Network
The CIO Council presents the first panel of the Women in Federal IT & Cyber Conference. Panelists will be discussing the importance of forming a strategic professional network.
Helping employees return to work during COVID-19
Returning to work can be stressful right now. Here are tips for communicating plans with employees.
Caregiving: The FLTCIP Offers Support When You Need It Most
No matter your stage of life, it’s always a good idea to have a long-range health plan in place. One thing to keep in mind is coverage for any potential long term care needs.
Financial Planning During a Pandemic
On FEDtalk this week, join host Debra Roth to hear important advice for handling your finances in the midst of the current health and economic crises. Guests will be discussing how to manage times of financial uncertainty while still planning for your long term health and economic security needs.
Smithsonian Museum Launches 'Talking About Race' Portal
Amid national conversations regarding race in the United States, the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) has launched an online portal to provide Americans with additional resources to both reflect on their own history with race and lead conversation about race. The portal provides targeted guidance for educators, parents or caregivers, and people committed to equity, as well as a multitude of resources delving into the history of race and racism.
NSA Cybersecurity Directorate Focuses on Moving Forward from COVID-19
The National Security Agency’s cybersecurity directorate is focusing on ways to protect medical research related to COVID-19 and assist critical infrastructure development that could help speed up the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. In a webcast hosted by the Intelligence National Security Alliance and reported on by FCW, NSA Deputy Director George Barnes discussed how the directorate is pivoting to meet the nation’s needs to begin moving forward from the pandemic.
Bipartisan Group Sends Letter on Handling National Debt
A letter from Reps. Scott Peters (D-CA) and Jody Arrington (R-TX), signed by an additional 58 members of Congress, expresses a commitment to continuing to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic downturn impacting millions of Americans but raises concern regarding the increases in national debt. The lawmakers urge leadership to include provisions for future budget reforms in any upcoming pandemic response legislation.