2021 US Citizenship Act Would Expand Federal Hiring and Workforce Reforms for Homeland Security Agencies
President Joe Biden and his administration recently proposed the 2021 U.S. Citizenship Act to Congress, where Democrats have introduced it in both chambers. The act would revamp the immigration system in the United States and reverse many immigration initiatives that were introduced by the Trump administration. The plan includes several reforms aimed at improving the homeland security workforce.
Penalties Mitigated in Arbitration, after an Agency Decision, Do Not Establish Disparate Treatment
McKenzie Holmes was a U.S. Postal Service (“USPS”) employee from 1989, until his removal in 2018. At the time of his removal, he worked as a city carrier at the Fort Dearborn Station in Chicago.
Lawmakers Push for More Vaccines for Federal Workforce
In a letter to Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Acting Director Kathleen McGettigan and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Rochelle Walensky, several Democratic lawmakers from the National Capital Region, including Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) and Del. Eleanor Norton Holmes (D-DC), have requested that the federal government allocate vaccines for federal employees, especially those in the National Capital Region of Washington DC, Virginia, and Maryland.
Managing Organizations to Sustain Passion for Public Service
The American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) is proud to present a BookTalk with Jim Perry and Rob Seidner looking at keeping your employees passionate: Managing Organizations to Sustain Passion for Public Service. Sponsored by the Los Angeles County Management Council, this discussion is relevant for government agencies and nonprofits alike.
Advocating Excellence and Investing in Management
The Federal Managers Association’s primary objectives are to advocate excellence in public service through effective management and professionalism, and to actively represent our members’ interests and concerns.
NASA releases first images taken by Mars Perseverance rover after historic landing
The Mars Perseverance rover landed on the red planet just a few days ago. Learn about the touchdown of the largest rover to ever land on Mars, weighing over a metric ton.
OPM Releases Memo on Recent Pay and Leave-Related Legislative Changes
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) released a memo on February 16, 2021 detailing several legislative changes and extensions affecting federal employee pay and certain benefits with the implementation of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021.
DOJ Issues Memo on Gaps in Whistleblower Protections for Contractors
The Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) sent a management advisory memorandum to remind personnel about whistleblower rights and protections for contractors. Michael Horowitz, DOJ’s Inspector General, sent the memo to Michael Allen, who is the Deputy Assistant Attorney General and Senior Procurement Executive in the Justice Management Division.
New COVID-19 Relief Package Would Expand Benefits for Feds
The House Democrats have released the latest iteration of their COVID-19 relief package, including a provision to expand benefits for federal workers. The bill offers up to 600 hours of paid leave for those who have COVID-19 or are caring for someone who does. This time off can also be applied to parents whose children are learning from home and require supervision. This leave can be used through September 30, 2021.
Ensuring Workforce and Whistleblower Protections for the SES
Ensuring workplace rights and avenues for redress is a premier issue for the Senior Executives Association (SEA). SEA remains concerned that members of the Senior Executive Service (SES) lack a forum for adjudicating workplace disputes and adequate whistleblower protections.
Bridging the Partisan Divide
The latest FEDtalk episode sparks a conversation on fueling compromise at a time when Americans are divided. With slim Democratic majorities in the House and Senate, stakeholders see a new opportunity to bridge the partisan divide with common sense policy priorities.
COVID-19 and the future of work
Take a look back at some June 2020 reporting on the way the coronavirus has changed the way Americans work. Over six months later, how much has changed?
PMA Welcomes New National Leadership Team
The Professional Managers Association (PMA) – formed in 1981 by IRS Managers as a national membership association representing the interests of professional managers, management officials and non-bargaining unit employees in the federal government – welcomes individuals to the PMA National Leadership Team to serve as nationally elected board officers for two-year terms.
MSPB Evaluates Use of Direct Hire Authority in Federal Agencies
The Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) released a report evaluating federal agencies’ use of Direct-Hire Authorities (DHAs) when filling critical roles in government, including medical, information technology, and acquisition occupations.
Suspected Chinese Hackers Possibly Infiltrated Federal Payroll Agency Through SolarWinds Hack
Now, there is concern that Chinese hackers may have been able to gain access to federal data during the time of the SolarWinds hack.
President Biden’s Memo Calls for a Better-Equipped National Security Workforce
On February 4, 2021, President Joe Biden released a national security memo that focused on revitalizing American foreign policy and restoring the national security workforce, institutions, and partnerships. He also recently appeared at the Department of State to send a message on foreign policy to the workforce, saying, “I want the people who work in this building, and our embassies and consulates around the world, to know I value your expertise, and I respect you. And I will have your back.”
TSA Employees Would Receive Expanded Work Protections Under Proposed Act
Leading House Democrats on the Homeland Security, Appropriations, and Transportation Committees re-introduced the Rights for the Transportation Security Administration Workforce Act of 2021 in Congress. The bill, passed twice by the House in the 116th Congress, would expand workforce protections for employees of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
The COVID Slide's Prevention Procedures
Federal Employee Education & Assistance Fund (FEEA) notices that a common concern among federal employees as parents and guardians have is anxiety toward kids and school. The school year has been challenging for kids and parents alike, regardless of whether they are navigating fully remote learning, hybrid in-person/remote options, or fully in-person learning. Some kids may find themselves falling behind in various subjects.