How Managers Can Learn About FEDS
Calling all federal managers! Are you prepared to defend yourself against allegations from your agency, disgruntled employees, or the public? Your everyday managerial duties leave you at risk of civil suits, administrative actions, and criminal investigations—FEDS Protection can help.
Lawmakers Calls to Defund and Block Schedule F Grow
Members of Congress and employee groups are asking for President Trump’s Executive Order on Creating Schedule F in the Excepted Service to be blocked in the next spending bill.
Lawmakers Reach Spending Cap for Omnibus Spending Bill
Appropriations committee leaders have reached a bipartisan deal on top-line spending levels for all 12 parts of the omnibus spending bill. Congress has until December 11, 2020 to fund the government and avoid a shutdown.
Congress Seeks Details from Agencies on Burrowing In
House Democrats want to know whether President Trump’s political appointees are being converted into career civil servants.
Open Season with Federal Insurers
On the most recent episode of FEDtalk, join host Tony Vergnetti for a discussion with the leading players in federal employee insurance. The discussion featured Shane Canfield, CEO of WAEPA, as well as David Yoder, Vice President of Member Care and Management at Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, and Bill Breskin, Senior Vice President of Government Programs at Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.
SEA Presents: The Future of Government Leadership is Now
SEA Presents: The Future of Government Leadership is Now - a three day virtual leadership summit designed to empower participants to take ideas about the future of work and apply them today. Between the pandemic, the shift to fully remote work environments, changing economy and talent drivers, the ideas that drive how work and leadership will be handled in the future are being tested immediately. The government's leaders are being challenged to meet this new work dynamic head on - which may require different ways of thinking and being.
6 Tips to Manage Stress and Practice Self-Care
The pandemic has taken a toll on all of us. Take some time to breathe and practice good habits that will improve your stress levels and promote overall relaxation.
OSC and CIGIE Reach Agreements for Investigation Referrals
On November 3, 2020, the United States Office of Special Counsel (OSC) announced that it had reached two agreements with the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE). A statement by OSC claimed that the “core goals of the agreements are to protect the independence of the respective Inspectors General and provide better outcomes to whistleblowers who report allegations of wrongdoing by OIGs.” The agreements are “the result of a years-long effort to clarify standards of procedure for such disclosures.”
Blue Cross and Blue Shield's Federal Employee Program
With Open Season for federal employees running November 9 through December 14, 2020, now’s the perfect time to think about what you want from your health plan. At the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program, we offer the coverage and benefits to help you live healthy every day. That includes our Basic Option, that gives you great in-network coverage with no deductible.
Advocates for Equal Opportunity, Dismantling Systemic Discrimination
Blacks In Government was organized in 1975 and incorporated as a non-profit organization under the District of Columbia jurisdiction in 1976. BIG was conceived at the Department of Health, Education and Welfare (DHEW) by Black Federal employees at the Parklawn Building in Rockville, Maryland.
OPM Releases Policy Updates on Skills Based Hiring
A memorandum for Chief Human Capital Officers (CHCOs) released Monday announced draft updates to federal hiring policy based on the Executive Order on Modernizing and Reforming the Assessment and Hiring of Federal Job Candidates that was released by the Trump Administration in June 2020. The executive order directed agencies to expand the use of competency-based assessments and rely less on educational requirements when hiring for certain positions.
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.”