Agencies Must Prove Pre-PIP Unacceptable Performance in Federal Circuit Decision
Before a federal employee can be terminated for unacceptable performance, the employing agency must provide the employee with an opportunity to demonstrate acceptable performance.
NSCAI Issues Final Report on Expanding AI Capabilities in Federal Workforce
The National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence (NSCAI) issued a final report on the AI capabilities of the federal workforce which set a goal for the Department of Defense (DoD) and the intelligence community to be AI-ready by 2025.
OPM Launches Special Combined Federal Campaign for Texas Storm Victims
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) announced in a March 11, 2021 memo that it is launching a thirty day Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) charity giving drive to assist Texans who were impacted by the winter storm in February.
American Rescue Plan Expands Benefits for Federal Workforce
On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package that expands benefits for the federal workforce and Americans.
The Cynefin Framework
The Cynefin Framework can help executives learn new leadership styles and view things from a new and improved perspective. Cynefin is a Welsh word that suggests that multiple factors in our environment influence us in profound and impactful ways.
Protecting Federal Employees – How, When & Why We Need To
The most recent FEDtalk podcast episode explored the various reasons federal employee professional liability exposures have increased over the last few years. Listen in as Tony Vergnetti, the Founder of FEDS Protection, and Brenda Wilson, the Vice President of Programs, explain how the performance of your duties and the integrity with which you perform those duties may not matter if you happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
OPM Instructs Agencies to Restart Union Talks to Reverse Trump-Era Orders
An Office of Personnel Management (OPM) memo dated March 5, 2021 provides instructions on how agencies should reverse course on several Trump-era workforce policies. A number of executive orders were passed in 2018 that specifically restricted union activity and made it easier for federal employees to be fired.
Call for Nominations for FY2021 Presidential Rank Awards
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) announced in a March 3, 2021 memo that it would be opening nominations for the FY2021 Presidential Rank Awards (PRA). The awards program was suspended in 2020 by the prior administration. The PRA is one of the most prestigious awards that can be given to a career civil servant and was established in 1978.
Navigating COVID-19 Safety Practices as a Federal Manager
As the COVID-19 virus continues to spread across the United States, the federal government is instituting safety policies and imposing non-compliance-based discipline on its employees. For instance, as we have previously detailed, the Biden administration established a mask mandate across the federal government. Federal managers have now been tasked with enforcing these new safety protocols, including the mask mandate. Implementing these new practices have created unusual difficulties for federal managers.
Bipartisan Bill Would Revitalize the State Department Workforce
The 2021 State Department Authorization Act (H.R. 1157) is a bipartisan measure that would work to revitalize the Department of State by increasing hiring, retention, and bonuses. The act aims to improve the workforce at the State Department by providing broad guidelines on how to improve the department's foreign service and civil servants.
3.2% Federal Pay Raise Bill Introduced in Senate
Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) formally introduced the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates Act, which would provide federal workers with a 2.2 percent across-the-board pay increase next year, along with an average 1 percent increase in locality pay. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) introduced companion legislation in the House in January.
Women's Day 2021 (8 March) - UN Chief
In celebration of International Women’s Day, the United Nations recognized the work and contributions of women around the world.
OPM Memo States Marijuana is Not a Disqualifier for Federal Employment
A February 25, 2021 OPM memo announced that candidates for federal employment should not be barred from federal employment on the sole basis of marijuana usage.
Personnel Vetting, Suitability, Clearance, and Credentialing Efforts Move Forward
The federal government’s efforts to modernize and rationalize its workforce vetting policies and protocols continue to move forward, with actions coming at the tail end of the last administration and in the first month of the Biden administration.
Report Applauds Bright Spots in Federal Government’s COVID-19 Response
The Partnership for Public Service recently released a new report titled “Bright Spots in the Federal Government’s Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.” The report details 65 bright spots related to the federal government’s COVID-19 response, divided into four categories: leadership and stewardship, talent, innovation and technology, and collaboration.
House Democrats Attempt to Bring Back Congressional Earmarks
House Democrats have moved to restart the use of earmarks in an effort to prevent Congressional gridlock and pass legislation more effectively. This move would alter how Congress allocates $1.4 trillion in discretionary funding. Earmarks allow members of Congress to itemize funds in appropriations packages for specific programs and projects in their district. Earmarks have been banned since 2011.
Making Our National Security Workforce Reflect Our Nation
The most recent FEDtalk podcast episode featured a roundtable discussion on diversity and inclusion in the U.S. national security workforce. The guests discussed diversity gaps in national security, barriers to equal opportunity, and the opportunity present today. Through their work, the guests have sought solutions to diversifying the national security workforce and bridging divides to help people of color and underrepresented groups succeed. The show highlights the work being done to create a culture of inclusivity in the national security space.
Return on Investment of Remote Work
Join Ms. Kate Lister for a thorough analysis on remote work and its effectiveness. Also, gain an understanding of remote work pre-COVID-19 and post-COVID-19.