MSPB Must Determine Jurisdiction Over IRA Claims On Face Of Complainant’s Allegations
The MSPB cannot consider an agency’s interpretation or presentation of evidence to decide whether an individual-right-of-action presents a non-frivolous allegation of whistleblower reprisal, the Federal Circuit clarified in a recent holding.
How PLI Can Help Protect Against Schedule F
On October 21, President Trump issued Executive Order 13957, which will reclassify workers "in positions of a confidential, policy-determining, policy-making, or policy-advocating character" into a new category, Schedule F. Schedule F employees will be exempt from the typical federal employment processes, making the positions easier to hire and fire. While the number of federal employees impacted by the Executive Order is unknown due to the elastic definition of what could be classified as Schedule F, the American Federation of Government Employees estimates that it could impact “perhaps hundreds of thousands” of federal employees.
FEDtalk Hosts First Open Season Show of the Year
On FEDtalk this week, host Debra Roth had a discussion with benefits experts on everything feds need to know about this year’s Open Season. Joining the show were Joan Melanson, Director of Education and Outreach at FedPoint USA, and Tammy Flanagan, a Federal Benefits Expert at the NARFE Federal Benefits Institute.
How to Create a Productive Workspace at Home
Working from home every day can start to feel boring and mundane. Learn how to spruce up your workspace and inspire both creativity and productivity with this video!
Forty Years of Defending Career Federal Executives
This year marks 40 years of the Senior Executives Association serving as the voice of career leaders and aspiring leaders. Today, SEA is just as committed to defending merit-principles, promoting excellence in government, and ensuring adequate compensation for senior leaders as we have been since our creation in 1980. While these battles change in nature over time, their foundation remains the same: ensuring a qualified and professionalized senior leadership cadre across federal agencies is equipped to serve the American people.
OPM Abandons Merger with GSA
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) recently announced that it would not be following through with its proposed merger with the General Services Administration (GSA). President Trump’s government reorganization initiative, which has been in the works for several years, included a push to combine GSA with OPM to form the new “Government Services Agency.”
FEEA Awards Scholarships to Children of Federal Employees
The Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund (FEEA) is an independent, non-profit organization that provides emergency assistance and funds to federal employees and their families. Founded in 1986, FEEA has helped more than 50,000 families from every department and agency in the form of loans, grants, scholarships, and subsidies.
Avoidance of Government Shutdown Rests on Lame Duck Spending Deal
As lawmakers approach the December 11, 2020 stopgap funding deadline, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Secretary of the Treasury Steve Mnuchin remain stuck on several issues relating to COVID-19 and funding of the government. If Congress and the White House are unable to reach another stopgap funding deal by December 11, then a partial government shutdown could occur.
A Day in the Life of Misty Waytes--Women in ATF Trailblazer
Learn about what it takes to be a female in the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Waytes talks about finding a mentor and inspiring her students at the ATF National Academy.
EEOC Revises Memorandum of Understanding with DOL, DOJ
On November 2, 2020, the EEOC held a public meeting, its first of the fiscal year, to consider a new, revised version of its memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Department of Labor and Department of Justice. At the close of the meeting, the Commission voted 3-2, on partisan lines, to adopt the new MOU. The Republican majority rejected a dozen proposed amendments made by the Commission’s two Democratic commissioners.
2020 WAEPA Federal Summit and Annual Member Meeting: Key Takeaways
Like many events, WAEPA’s annual conference moved to a fully virtual format in 2020. Hosted by our CEO Shane M. Canfield, the 2020 WAEPA Federal Summit and Annual Member Meeting delivered an excellent lineup of speakers for the Civilian Federal Employees. Here are some key takeaways from the event.
Politicizing the Civil Service is a Disturbingly Bad Idea: FMA Responds to Executive Order
As most feds are now aware, President Trump recently signed an executive order to create a Schedule F in the Excepted Service, a new class of career “confidential, policy-determining, or policy-advocating” positions. Concerning to FMA, this move strips civil service protections from a huge, as yet-untold number of federal workers.
Executive Order Creates New Class of Federal Employees
President Trump signed an executive order on October 21, 2020 creating a new classification for federal employees. Per the order, employees that are in confidential, policy making positions would be categorized as Schedule F employees and would not be subject to traditional Title 5 workplace protections. These employees would also be barred from organizing against or appealing the administration. The order grants agency leaders broad discretion to hire and fire individuals in this schedule.
OPM Revamping Modernization Efforts
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is launching an attempt to reboot its IT modernization efforts and update its technology. OPM’s Office of the Inspector General released a report that identifies IT modernization as a top priority for the agency. Chief Information Officer Clare Martorana and independent consultants have laid out a plan that would reform OPM’s technology and fix many of its IT issues.
VA Pilots New Tool to Better Understand COVID Mortality Rates
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is piloting a new artificial intelligence tool that can predict a COVID-19 patient’s prognosis and recommend next steps. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals have seen an influx of patients, and doctors and nurses often have to make quick, life-saving decisions in order to help their patients.
Lawmakers Respond to Executive Order on Schedule F in Excepted Service
Several lawmakers have spoken out against the president’s Executive Order on Creating Schedule F in the Excepted Service, while others have expressed support. Within days of the order’s release, several lawmakers have also introduced legislation that would reverse the order. Here is a roundup of the Congressional response:
FEDtalk: Grand Challenges to Grand Changes with NAPA
On FEDtalk this week, host Natalia Castro had a discussion with the National Academy of Public Administration. Joining the show was NAPA President and CEO Terry Gerton as well as NAPA Fellows Edward DeSeve and Chris Mihm. Mr. DeSeve is also a Senior Fellow at the IBM Center for the Business of Government. Mr. Mihm also serves as Managing Director of the GAO Strategic Issues Team.
Election Security
What happens when you cast your vote? Learn how elections are secured and how your vote is kept safe in this 2018 video from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission.