Federal Worker Pay Gap Narrowing, Still Disproportionally Impacts Certain Groups of Women
The overall pay gap between men and women in the federal workforce has “narrowed considerably” from 19 cents on the dollar in 1999 to 7 cents in 2017, according to a recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report analyzing Office of Personnel Management (OPM) data.
Congressional Leaders Agree to Vote on One-Week Stopgap Bill
Congressional leaders are trying to give their negotiators more time to reach an agreement on a COVID-19 relief package and the $1.4 trillion omnibus spending bill to which pandemic relief would be attached.
THE MINDSET OF A WINNER | Kobe Bryant Champions Advice
Learn about a “winning mindset” with the late basketball superstar Kobe Bryant. He talks about finding the motivation and willpower to succeed and the importance of a strong mentality.
Federal Circuit: No Waiver of Sayers Arguments in VA Removal Case
A VA police officer was removed by the Department of Veterans Affairs under the 2017 “accountability” law 38 U.S.C. § 714 that limited review of VA’s actions against general schedule employees. The removal was based on conduct occurring prior to the enactment of the law. The employee appealed to the MSPB, and the MSPB affirmed the removal. On December 7, 2020, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit vacated the MSPB’s decision, and remanded the case to the MSPB with instructions to remand the case further back to the agency.
Open Season with the Experts
On the latest episode of the FEDtalk podcast, join host Jason Briefel for a final sit down with Open Season experts to review coverage options, changes from previous years, and all the virtual ways feds can learn about their insurance options. The discussion features Jay Fritz from the Open Season Program Office at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management and Joan Melanson, Director of Education and Outreach at FedPoint.
A Tradition of Improving Conditions for Federal Employees
The Professional Managers Association (PMA) was founded in 1981 by a group of managers from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Groundhog Day was Fun – Washington’s Sequels Are Terrible and Need to End
As the clock once again ticks ever closer to another fiscal year cliff – the expiration of the latest continuing resolution (CR) on December 11, and the potential government shutdown it would bring – we are reminded of the movie Groundhog Day.
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.