OPM Announces 2020 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey to Begin in July
In a memo to agency leaders, OPM Acting Director Michael Rigas announced the 2020 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (OPM FEVS) will begin on July 13, 2020. The survey rollout was delayed earlier in the spring as agencies were focusing on mission critical work during the coronavirus response. Rigas also announced several changes to the survey.
Bipartisan Lawmakers Introduce Amendment Combatting Deepfakes in FY 2021 NDAA
Each year, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which authorizes trillions in government programs, is seen as a ‘must pass’ piece of legislation to which lawmakers can add various amendments relating to military and civilian personnel matters. Last week, U.S. Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) introduced the Deepfake Report Act as an amendment to the Senate’s FY 2021 NDAA.
Fourth of July: Fauci Urges People to Gather Outdoors Ahead of Holiday Weekend
Dr. Fauci provides some direction for celebrating Independence Day during COVID-19.
OPM Issues Memo on Annual Leave and Other PTO Guidance
The Office of Personnel Management issued guidance on several elements of annual leave and other paid time off (PTO) last week in a memo from Acting Director Michael Rigas to agency heads. The memo clarifies and provides additional resources for employees on annual leave “use or lose” provisions impacted by COVID-19, restoration of annual leave, compensatory time off for travel, compensatory time off for overtime, credit hours, and disabled veteran leave.
Pandemic Response Accountability Committee Launches Contract Spending Tracker Tool
The Pandemic Response Accountability Committee, created under the CARES Act to oversee the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, released a tool today to track how relief packages were dispersed. The committee also released a June 2020 report on challenges agencies are facing when handling the CARES Act implementation and pandemic response.
Senate Committee Hosts Hearing on National Commission Civil Service Reform Recommendations
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management held a hearing today on the recommendations for reforming the civil service put forth by the National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service.
Why Do Federal Managers Need Professional Liability Insurance?
On June 4th FEDS President Tony Vergnetti was the featured guest on the FedUpward podcast, in an episode titled “Do you need professional liability insurance?”
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.