Federal Circuit: Removal for Performance-Based Conduct Not Limited to Performance Actions
Dr. Allen Braun worked as a research doctor at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for almost 32 years. In 2003, he became a tenured Senior Investigator for the National Institute on Deafness & Other Communication Disorders, a branch of NIH.
Are You Ready To Manage Your Workforce on January 20?
On January 20, 2021, President-elect Joe Biden will be sworn in as the 46th President of the United States, and a new administration will assume the operation of the federal government. With the new administration, there will likely be significant changes directly impacting the lives and jobs of federal employees.
Federal Employees to Receive 1% Pay Raise in 2021
President Trump recently signed an executive order granting federal employees a 1 percent pay increase in 2021. The order does not affect locality pay rates.
OPM Issues Presidential Transition Guide for 2020 Election
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) recently released a Presidential Transition Guide to ensure the smooth transition of responsibilities between the outgoing Trump administration and the incoming Biden administration. OPM’s responsibilities during a transition include ensuring the efficient departure of current political appointees and arrival of new ones, submitting a list of presidential appointments to candidates, and making updates to the Plum Book.
An Overview of the 117th Congress
The 117th Congress was sworn in on Sunday, starting a new chapter in Congressional history. The 117th Congress is the most diverse in U.S. history, with a record number of women, racial minorities, and members of the LGBTQ community. This Congress also includes a record number of Republican women.
Bransford Scholarship for First-Generation College Students
Last year, FEEA launched the Bill Bransford First-Generation Scholarship with help from the Bransford Family and the law firm of Shaw, Bransford and Roth. We are pleased to announce this $7,500 scholarship is available again this year for first-generation college students who are the children of eligible federal employees or are federal employees themselves.*
Looking Back on 2020 and Forward to 2021 with Federal Employee Associations
Federal employees, like the rest of the country, have had a challenging year. The final FEDtalk episode of 2020 reviewed the year through the lens of some federal employee associations. Host Tony Verngetti discussed how COVID-19 changed the landscape for federal employee associations and what the future holds in 2021.
4 Tips for Avoiding Burnout in 2021
As we kick off 2021, here are some ways to manage stress and prioritize well-being going into the new year. Learn how to manage stress and cope with anxiety to put your best foot forward!
Five Reasons to Talk with a Financial Planner
Financial planning isn’t just for the super wealthy. Anyone can benefit from the guidance of a credentialed, experienced, and objective planner. Here are five situations that make you a good candidate for a conversation.
Be Fiscally Responsible – Pay Feds a Market Wage to End Expensive Turnover
The Federal Managers Association believes in good government and fiscal responsibility. Unfortunately, the way federal workers are currently paid is the opposite of fiscally responsible.
Religious Freedom Restoration Act Exposes Officials to Personal Liability, Supreme Court Rules
Government officials may be sued in their personal capacity for alleged violations of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 (RFRA), the Supreme Court held in the case of Tanzin v. Tanvir, issued at the end of last year. While Tanzin occurred in a law enforcement context, some legal commentators believe the Court’s decision may have a “chilling effect” on officials who enforce nondiscrimination laws.
Congress Passes FY 2021 Government Funding, Coronavirus Relief Legislation
After several continuing resolutions to buy lawmakers additional negotiating time, Congress has passed a $2.3 trillion government funding and coronavirus relief package. As long as President Trump signs the measure by December 28, the federal government will not shut down this year. The package allows for a 1 percent pay raise for civilian federal employees and includes $900 million in coronavirus relief, but the bill has been criticized for failing to take action on controversial federal workforce policies implemented by the Trump administration.
FEEA’s Tutoring Program
Are you a federal employee with a child in grades K-12, who needs some extra academic support right now? If so, you are not alone. We know the added stress of the pandemic and disruptions to the traditional school experience are affecting many families. That’s why FEEA has developed a new program for your children to access free, online academic tutoring for most K-12 subjects.
Bill to Stop Doxing of Government Workers Introduced in Senate
The Public Servant Protection Act is a bill designed to protect government workers, officials, and appointees from being targeted at their homes. Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR), along with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and five Republican colleagues, introduced the legislative proposal earlier this month.
2020 NASA Administrator’s Agency Honor Award Ceremony
Last week, NASA honored several employees and teams for their work during 2020 to advance exploration and discovery.
Russian Government Hackers Likely Behind Cyber Breach of U.S. Government Agencies
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued an emergency directive on the evening of December 13, 2020 in response to a massive data breach due to a critical software vulnerability that impacted several federal agencies.
Congress Scrambles to Fund Government as Deadline Looms
With a government shutdown looming at the end of this week, lawmakers are scrambling to fund the government and approve emergency COVID-19 aid. The omnibus government funding bill is expected to also serve as the vehicle for two COVID-19 relief packages.
2021 NDAA Passes Congress with Enough Support for Veto Override
The U.S. Senate passed the FY 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), an all-encompassing piece of legislation that introduces provisions related to many agencies and federal employees, with an 84-13 majority. This margin means that even if President Trump vetoes the bill, as he has threatened, there is enough support in Congress to override the veto.