NAPA Releases Proposed Executive Order to Improve the Federal Workforce
The National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) has released a proposed executive order titled Modernizing and Reinvigorating the Public Workforce and Restoring Honor in Public Service. The proposal, written by fellows of the Academy, provides guidance that would rebuild trust in the public sector and strengthen the federal workforce. NAPA is an organization that helps government leaders solve their most critical management challenges by providing expert advice to government leaders in building and managing more effective, efficient, equitable, accountable, and transparent organizations.
Talks on Omnibus Spending Bill Between Chambers of Congress Begin
In the House and the Senate, initial talks for an omnibus appropriations bill have begun. The goal of these initial talks is to agree on top-line spending levels that will be included. Congress has until December 11, 2020 to fund the government and both Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) have stated that they do not want another continuing resolution and would rather have an appropriations package ready to go.
Leadership Styles
Everyone has a leadership style. Learning more about your leadership style is key to being successful both personally and professionally. Find out yours!
Dedicated Service to America for a Century
Established in 1913, the Federal Managers Association (FMA) advocates for excellence in public service through effective management and professionalism, as well as the active representation of its members interests and concerns. FMA advances its mission through consultation with the Executive Branch and advocacy in Congress, top-notch professional development programs, informative publications and networking opportunities for its members.
Senate Releases Spending Bills for Fiscal Year 2021
Senate appropriators released all 12 of their fiscal year 2021 spending bills on the morning of November 10, 2020. Lawmakers have until December 11, 2020 to secure government spending and avoid a federal shutdown. Both Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) have called for a new omnibus spending bill, which would fund all government agencies in a single large package, rather than another continuing resolution that only funds the government temporarily at previous levels.
House Chairs Send Letters to Agencies and Administration Calling for Preservation of Documents
According to a press release from November 10, 2020, House committee chairs sent dozens of letters to the Trump administration and various federal agencies directing them to preserve documents and comply with federal record-keeping laws. As Congress prepares for a transition of power and the start of a new Congress, the chairs reminded agencies of their duty to preserve information responsive to congressional subpoenas and investigations and comply with the Presidential Records Act and the Federal Records Act.
SSLC Releases Report on Improving Shared Services in Government
The Shared Services Leadership Coalition (SSLC) recently released a report titled What Comes Next: Shared Services Beyond 2020- An Action Plan to Accelerate Shared Services in the Next Administration. According to its mission statement, the SSLC “advocates that the Federal Government accelerate implementation of modernized shared service business models to reduce costs and improve performance of common administrative and mission related functions on behalf of the public interest in competent, cost-effective 21st Century government.”
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.