OPM Issues Guidance on Emergency Paid Leave
On April 29, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issued guidance to agencies on COVID-19 Emergency Paid Leave, which was authorized in March when Congress approved the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
Vaccinated Federal Employees Still Limited to Mission Critical Travel
All federal employee official travel, including for those who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, remains limited to travel that is mission critical, according to recently updated Safer Federal Workforce Task Force guidance.
A Theory of Change: Connecting Civic Culture and Governance
Join us for the first in our four-part series on Public Governance and Engagement, bringing together NAPA’s Grand Challenges Work and the recent AAA&S report, Our Common Purpose: Reinventing American Democracy for the 21st Century which was the product of a two-year bipartisan Commission on the Practice of Democratic Citizenship to study political and civic life around the country.
WAEPA Launches Group Short-Term Disability Insurance
WAEPA has been serving Civilian Federal Employees and their families with affordable group term life insurance for over 75 years. To continue making your needs our mission, we are pleased to provide a new product, Group Short-Term Disability Insurance,* which provides income replacement to federal employees who are temporarily out of work due to a covered short-term illness or injury.
Supreme Court: No “Issue Exhaustion” Requirement for SSA Claimants
Several weeks ago, FEDmanager reported on oral argument at the Supreme Court of the United States in Carr v. Saul. In this case, the issue was whether Social Security Administration (SSA) claimants who did not raise an Appointments Clause challenge at the administrative level forfeited their ability to challenge the validity of decisions by improperly appointed SSA administrative law judges once they appealed the decisions to federal court, pursuant to the Supreme Court’s decision in Lucia v. SEC. On April 22, 2021, the Supreme Court held that courts should not impose an “issue exhaustion” requirement on claims under the Appointments Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
MSPB Report: WGI Denials Related to Performance Rating Structure, Type of Work, and Agency Culture
The frequency of within-grade increases (WGI) is related to agency appraisal systems, the nature of an employee’s work, and the agency’s performance management culture and guidance, the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) recently reported.
Unaccompanied Children Program Detailees Receive Biweekly Premium Pay Cap Waiver
On April 22, 2021, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) retroactively waived the biweekly cap on premium pay for employees performing work in support of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Unaccompanied Children (UC) program. Covered federal employees are subject instead to an annual premium pay cap for the full period they work in support of the HHS UC program.
OPM Director Nominee Faces Senate Hearing
On April 22, 2021, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs held a nominations hearing for Kiran Ahuja, President Biden’s pick to lead the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).
There is No End to the Ways to Serve
In preparing for Public Service Recognition Week, it is evident that just as the public service can play many different roles, so can members of the National Academy of Public Administration (the Academy). An average day in the life of an Academy member is quite varied and illustrates how so many individuals contribute to making government work.
Federal Developmental Opportunities Workshop
The registration is open for the May 4 Federal Leadership and Professional Development Seminar Series (FLPDSS) workshop: Developmental opportunities - How federal employees can receive development and host opportunities to develop others.
“5 Pillars of Effective Leadership" | Ari Zucker | TEDxGVSU
What does it take to be an effective leader? Learn five different pillars that make up the foundation of effective leadership. Whether it be in your personal or professional life, learning these skills will be useful in elevating your leadership style.
PSRW is from May 2-8, 2021: An Opportunity to Thank Public Service Employees
Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW) is coming up from May 2 to 8, 2021. The theme is #GovPossible to highlight the work of public servants across all levels of government.
OPM Releases Flexibilities Related to FSAFEDS
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is making changes to the Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS) based on provisions in the FY 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), as well as Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Notice 2021-15.
OPM Releases Status of Telework Report for FY 2019
In March 2021, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) released its “Status of Telework in the Federal Government Report to Congress,” which showed the extent of federal telework in FY2019 (October 1, 2018-September 30, 2019). The report is the last governmentwide data collection on telework before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bipartisan Bill Pushes for Greater Leadership Input as Agencies Create Performance Goals
Representatives Gerry Connolly (D-VA) and Jody Hice (R-GA), who lead the House Subcommittee on Government Operations, announced the introduction of the Performance Enhancement Reform Act.
U.S. Secret Service Remembers Personnel Lost in Oklahoma City Bombing
26 years after the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, the U.S. Secret Service commemorates the lives of those agents and employees who were lost during the attack.
Distance or Disconnect? Coming Together When Your Team is Apart
Please join us on April 27th for a unique event open to all federal employees and those working in the federal space. The Senior Executives Association and the Treasury Executive Institute have partnered with the Arbinger Institute to provide an insightful 90-minute discussion around leading virtually through the lens of an outward mindset.
Biden Administration Releases Budget Proposal
On April 9, 2021, President Joe Biden released his administration’s FY 2022 budget proposal, which included funding increases for education, health, and the environment while keeping consistent spending levels on defense and homeland security.