New Fiscal Goals in Place for Agencies to Maintain Public Trust During Pandemic
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government has had to restructure how it handles finances and resources for the American people.
Office of Management and Budget Updates Circular A-11 Budget Guidance
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) recently introduced their annual update to Circular A-11 guidance for preparing, submitting, and executing the federal budget. This update makes changes to Section 280, which relates to improving customer experience and service delivery.
House Ends Recess Early to Address Postal Service Situation
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is bringing the House back from August recess to vote on emergency postal legislation after concerns that new policies imposed by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) could cause severe mail delays across the country. She said in a statement, "The postmaster general and top Postal Service leaders must answer to the Congress and the American people as to why they are pushing these dangerous new policies that threaten to silence the voices of millions, just months before the election."
OSC: MSPB Misapplied Whistleblower Statute
On August 11, 2020, the United States Office of Special Counsel (OSC) filed an amicus curiae brief in Tao v. MSPB, a case pending before the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, arguing that the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) committed reversible error when it failed to properly analyze an employee’s allegation of whistleblower retaliation.
3 Stretches to Loosen Work-From-Home Body Stiffness
Sitting at a desk all day can take a toll on your body and movement. Learn some simple stretches to do while working from home to relieve tension in your muscles.
Federal Workers Deemed Essential Allowed to Restore Annual Leave
A new interim final rule by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) explains how agencies can restore annual leave for employees who are deemed essential during the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, most federal employees can carry over 30 days of leave to the following year even if they accrue more. However, agencies can restore “use or lose” privileges in extenuating circumstances.
OPM Releases New Guidance on Paid Parental Leave
The Office of Personnel Management issued an interim final rule to implement the Federal Employee Paid Leave Act amendment to the FY2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which provides 12 weeks of paid parental leave to certain federal employees who are covered by the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The act covers parents who recently gave birth as well as those who are adopting or fostering a child.
Federal Circuit Rules PACER Fees Excessive
On August 6, 2020, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed a district court ruling that the federal judiciary has been charging unlawfully excessive fees for access to records through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system.
New Whistleblower Bills Would Protect Federal Workers
National Whistleblower Appreciation Day, an annual day of recognition for whistleblowers whose actions protected the American people from fraud and abuse, took place this past July 30th. Surrounding the day, several pieces of legislation have been introduced to protect government whistleblowers, many of whom are afraid to come forward out of fear of retaliation by their agencies.
4 Days in 50 Minutes: A Remote Recap of WIFLE’s 2020 Conference
The latest episode of the FEDtalk podcast takes listeners on a highlights tour of the Women in Federal Law Enforcement (WIFLE) 2020 Annual Training, which was postponed due to the coronavirus until August 2021. WIFLE President Cathy Sanz, Vice President Jessie Lane, and FEDtalk host Debra Roth sat down with two conference presenters who offered webinars in place of the in-person trainings and two of the 2020 award winners from the Drug Enforcement Agency.
How To Be A Leader - The 7 Great Leadership Traits
Learn the qualities and characteristics of top leaders so you can incorporate them into your own life.
Why Federal Managers Need Professional Liability Insurance Now More Than Ever
The last few months have brought with them new challenges to federal managers and supervisors. In FEDS Protection’s latest webinar, FEDS President Tony Vergnetti discusses the civil, administrative, and criminal exposures of federal managers, with a focus on additional challenges presented by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. From quickly and effectively transitioning to teleworking, handling employee health and safety challenges, dealing with employee privacy concerns, and more, federal managers are at an increased risk of employee administrative complaints and agency investigations. Listen to this short webinar to learn how federal managers can protect themselves with FEDS Protection professional liability insurance.
White House Issues Formal Veto Threat Against House Appropriations Legislation
On Friday, the House passed a spending package for a majority of the federal government. The day before, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a formal notice announcing plans to veto the legislation, H.R. 7617, if it were to arrive on the president’s desk for signature.
Senate Holds Hearing on Modernizing Telework for Feds, Using Private Sector Practices
In order to determine the best way to restructure federal work practices and redefine telework eligibility, a Senate Committee Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs subcommittee invited a panel of private sector executives to share their thoughts.
World-famous hacker offers his top cybersecurity tips
In a rapidly modernizing world, it is more important than ever to learn how to protect your personal data. Learn some key cybersecurity tips from an expert hacker.
OPM Issues Memo on Implementing Federal Hiring Executive Order
Business and communication network concept. Business partnership concept.
Offering Life Insurance Protection in these Uncertain Times
Life insurance protects your family from the uncertainty of what the future holds. Your policy with WAEPA is a safeguard you put in place to provide you and your loved ones with peace of mind. This protection is both a precaution, and a crucial component of your overall financial security.
A Fair Pay Raise for Feds in 2021
One of FMA’s primary objectives each year is to provide a fair pay raise for federal employees that reflects their selfless contributions to their fellow Americans.