This is What Makes Employees Happy at Work
What makes employees happy at work? While there are billions of working people on this planet, only a fraction of them report being happy at work. Learn the fundamentals of what keeps employees happy, positive, and optimistic in the workplace.
MSPB Report Offers Ways to Tackle Professional Isolation During Global Pandemic
Many federal employees have felt professional and social isolation while working from home recently in light of the maximum telework policy being imposed by the government due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) September 2020 newsletter includes a report titled “Home Alone 2020” that analyzes the effects of workplace social distancing on employees and the potential negative implications. It also offers some solutions to combat professional isolation.
OPM Guidance Proposes Updated Requirements for Public Service
An OPM guidance released on Friday builds on an executive order released by President Trump on June 26 directing agencies to expand the use of valid, competency-based assessments and narrow the use of educational qualifications in the federal hiring process. A primary goal of the executive order is to mimic the private sector’s use of competency-based assessments rather than degree-based hiring.
Federal Circuit: CFC Has Discretion to Deny Liquidated Damages for Erroneous Classification
An NCIS investigations specialist filed suit, alleging that NCIS erroneously classified him as exempt from overtime pay, and for years denied him overtime compensation and premium pay in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). On September 24, 2020, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed the Court of Federal Claims’ decision, after a trial, to deny liquidated damages, despite finding that NCIS was liable for incorrectly classifying the position as FLSA-exempt.
Back to the Moon and on to Mars!
Last week, FEDtalk host James Heelan spoke to Dr. Jim Green, NASA Chief Scientist; Dr. Elizabeth Frank, Applied Planetary Scientist at First Mode; and Dr. Amy Fagan, Chair of the Lunar Exploration Analysis Group, to discuss the Artemis Program at NASA which strives to send humans back to the moon and then to Mars.
Proposal Directs $1 Million in Funding to Investigate COVID-19 Misinformation, Disinformation
Democrats in both the House and the Senate recently proposed legislation that would grant $1 million to the National Science Foundation (NSF) for a probe into how online disinformation and misinformation disrupted the public response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Disinformation refers to details that are inherently manipulated or disseminated with an intentional aim to be deceptive. Misinformation does not necessarily involve the intent to mislead.
How to Overcome Mental Blocks
We all deal with mental blocks while studying, working, or writing. Learn how to overcome these blocks and perform to your full potential!
Officer Removed On Results Of Psychological Assessment Entitled On Appeal To Challenge Assessment’s Basis
Where an agency relies, directly or indirectly, on the results of a psychological assessment in justifying an employee’s removal, the agency must provide the employee with a meaningful opportunity to review and challenge the evidence underlying the assessment, the Federal Circuit recently held.
GAO Reports Highlight Racial Inequalities in America
In light of recent civilian deaths and issues of police brutality, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has created a landing spot which provides a broad look at GAO’s work on racial inequality over the years. GAO has identified racial inequalities and provided recommendations for addressing them in government and in the United States generally in many reports since the 1970s. The new landing spot provides easy access to all of these reports in various categories.
House Introduces Funding Bill Without Senate Support
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced a new stopgap government funding bill this week without first securing support from her Republican counterparts in the Senate or the White House. This bill would extend current levels of spending for agencies past the September 30 end of the fiscal year through December 11.
Expanded ‘G2U Initiative’ Strives to Bring More University Students into Public Service
The Volker Alliance Government-to-University Initiative is continuing to grow and expand opportunities for universities to collaborate more closely with the federal government.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg: In Memoriam | TIME
Justice Ginsburg led an inspiring life. She was a crusader for women’s rights and a champion of civil rights. Watch this tribute to her major accomplishments.
Shifting Federal Employees Away from Low-Value Work
Recent updates to the President’s Management Agenda (PMA) Cross Agency Priority (CAP) Goals have focused on shifting federal employees away from low-value work toward high-value work.
Survey on Improving Data Management in Government by Chief Data Officers
Improving data management and inventory is a priority for federal agencies. Congress passed the bipartisan Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act (Evidence Act) in 2018, setting clear expectations for federal agencies on data governance. The Evidence Act formalized the role of the Chief Data Officer (CDO) in agencies and standardized CDOs responsibilities.
Senate Holds Hearing on OPM Director Nominee
The U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (HSGAC) held a nominations hearing on September 9, 2020 for several individuals, including the nomination of John Gibbs to serve as Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). The vote on his appointment is expected to be held on September 16, 2020.
Best Android and iOS Apps to Keep Your Data Private and Secure
Did you know your smartphone can track almost everywhere you go and every website you visit? Learn how to protect yourself from unwanted attacks or breaches of privacy.
HHS, WAEPA Executives Discuss the Future of Customer Experience in the Healthcare and Insurance Industries
Last week’s FEDtalk podcast brought together Sanjay Koyani, Executive Director for Innovation at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and Shane Canfield, CEO of Worldwide Assurance for Employees of Public Agencies (WAEPA), to discuss evolving trends in customer experience within the healthcare and insurance industries with FEDtalk hosts Jason Briefel and James Heelan of Shaw Bransford & Roth.
Payroll Tax Deferral Program Leaves Federal Employees Seeking Answers
The White House recently announced an executive order that authorizes employers to defer the Social Security payroll tax from September 1, 2020 through the end of the year for employees who make less than $3,999 per biweekly pay period, known as a payroll tax deferral. This new order has left many agencies and employees with various questions like whether employees can opt-in or out of the program and what happens to federal employees who leave their agencies before or during the window of repayment.