At the Intersection of Science and Governance
As the country responds to the COVID-19 pandemic, we see many examples of the need to coordinate the activities of the scientists and technologists on the front lines of virus response with those of the public administrators charged with protecting and supporting the public. Government leaders are sharing their success stories - not because they are deeply experienced in epidemiology or medicine, but because they have implemented effective strategies for managing resources and making sound, data-informed decisions.
Legislation Introduced to Make Payroll Tax Deferral Program Optional
Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and over a dozen Senate Democrats introduced legislation, the Protecting Employees from Surprise Taxes Act, which would make the Trump administration’s tax deferral program optional for federal employees and service members. The legislation states that employees who wish to partake in the program must provide written consent to their employers.
Future of Defense Task Force Exposes Major Vulnerabilities in U.S. National Security
On September 29, 2020, the bipartisan Future of Defense Task Force released their final report, findings, and recommendations following a months-long review of U.S. defense assets and capabilities. The task force’s results show that U.S. national security is at a turning point. The report states that remaining competitive “will require a paradigm shift in our defense posture from heavy, expensive, and antiquated, to lean, adaptive, and integrated.”
Trick or Treat: Do You Know What to Expect With PLI?
No federal manager goes to work expecting to get sued or anticipates spending tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees to defend their career. However, today’s current political climate (with increased workforce challengers, Congressional investigations, and political pressures) means federal managers are increasingly vulnerable to civil lawsuits and administrative actions. If an allegation is made against you, are you aware of your rights as a federal manager? Are you prepared to vigorously defend yourself even if the allegation is baseless? Do you have professional liability insurance in place to help you in these trying matters? In the spirit of the fall season, FEDS Protection has put together a list of Trick or Treat facts that will help you learn more about your liability exposures and how best to protect yourself with FEDS PLI.
Managing Talent Amid a Pandemic
This week on FEDtalk, host Jason Briefel was joined by three global talent management officials from both the government and the private sector to discuss evolutions in talent management since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. Guests included Nancy Brickwood, Senior Vice President of Global Human Resources at BGRS; Clothilda (Clo) Taylor, Executive Director of the Strategic Learning, Development and Engagement Office and Chief Learning and Engagement Officer in the Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer, Department of Homeland Security (DHS); and Ghadeer Hasan, Head of Global Mobility at Lockheed Martin.
Safeguarding Your Vote: A Joint Message on Election Security
Election security is more important now than ever. Your voice is important. With less than thirty days until the upcoming election, the heads of the FBI, NSA, CISA and NCSC explain how they will safeguard your vote and prevent election-related crime.
CISA Releases Guide on Safe Teleworking Practices
With many federal employees now teleworking, the importance of working from home securely and safely is high. In response to both new and old cybersecurity risks, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) released a guide to help individuals and organizations safely telework for the long-term.
Defenders of the Classic American Turkey Club
Imagine for a second that you are about to make a classic American turkey club sandwich. What would be some of the ingredients you would need for such? Fresh bread with a thin layer of mayo, medium-thick slices of turkey topped with some salty bacon, and fresh crisp tomato and lettuce to top it all off.
Long Term Care Planning Made Easy: Find a Plan That’s Right for You
You may already be aware of what long term care is, whether it's through personal experience caregiving for a loved one who needs daily assistance, or knowing a family member or friend who requires more support as they age. As you learn more about long term care, consider the possibility that you may need this type of care in the future and start planning for it today.
OPM Halts Diversity and Inclusion Trainings Pending Mandatory Review
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) released a memo Friday pausing all diversity and inclusion trainings in the federal government until they are review by OPM. The move comes following several Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memos aimed at eliminating certain trainings that have been labeled divisive and anti-American, as well as a presidential executive order to the same effect.
2020 FEHB Open Season: Tips for Preparing
Each year, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) offers the Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) Open Season to allow you to evaluate your circumstances and options, and make changes to benefits.
Regular Disorder
A phrase that gets thrown around a lot in Congress is “regular order.” Typically, this phrase is used in a context like “regrettably, it has been impossible to pass appropriations through regular order for many years.”
House Modernization Committee Issues Final Round of Recommendations
The House Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress passed its final round of recommendations before the end of its term. The committee has passed 97 bipartisan recommendations in its 20-month lifespan. The latest set of recommendations includes several provisions strengthening the legislative branch, namely those that strive to reform the budget and appropriations process.
Reps. Hurd, Kelly Push for New AI Resolution
Representatives Will Hurd (R-TX) and Robin Kelly (D-IL) recently proposed creating a national artificial intelligence (AI) strategy in a concurrent resolution. The resolution consists of 78 actions that would lead to an overarching AI strategy in the United States. These actions have been suggested after many stakeholder meetings discussing AI policy challenges, development, spending, workforce training, and ethical issues.
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.