Management

The latest news on program and project management policies and best practices, HR developments, budgets and pay and benefits -- everything you need to know about federal operations.

Why do federal pay raises lag the private sector?

The federal budget proposal unveiled by the White House in March included an average pay increase of 4.6% for civilian federal workers, matching a planned military pay raise. Historically, with pay lagging in the federal sector, other factors including steady opportunities, competitive benefits and hybrid work to retain talent.

5 days ago

5 things every first-time bidder for federal contracts should know

People who have served in the military or worked for the federal government may have a slightly easier time navigating the language used in federal contracting. But it varies even across departments, so everyone needs to build in time for learning.

5 days ago

Management

Pentagon reminds everyone not to wipe their phones

The Defense Department is responding to revelations that senior officials' phone records were deleted following the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.

Alleged bad-faith bargaining by EEOC over return-to-work policy to get review

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, all 24 federal agencies reported at least a quarter of employees teleworking by April 2020. Now some departments are reverting to in-person work, though the Office of Personnel Management within the White House has called for maximizing telework.

6 days ago

Federal government has so far escaped attrition crisis, but retirement wave looms

In the years ahead, one third of the federal workforce is expected to be retirement eligible.

6 days ago

McDonough sidesteps calls for VA to provide abortion services at medical centers

Twenty-five senators have called for VA to provide access to abortions in light of growing state opposition to the procedure.

9 days ago

Lessons learned from the pandemic in modernizing public health systems

Agency leaders from Ventura County, California, and Winnebago, Illinois, spoke about how they transformed their technology infrastructure and processes to handle COVID-19 and how they plan to replicate and scale these changes to impact service delivery beyond pandemic-related needs.

13 days ago

Mission Possible: Securing remote access for classified networks

The Federal government understands the significance of remote access on meeting mission objectives now and in the future. Agency leaders are looking to the private sector for technology that helps them maintain the highest security levels while meeting the ease-of-access demands of today’s worker – and can be implemented quickly.

3 weeks ago

After a 5-year wait, VA gets a new top medical leader

The VA’s top health care post had been unfilled since early 2017.

3 weeks ago

Nominee for top VA benefits job withdraws, restarting search

The nomination of Ray Jefferson to serve as undersecretary for benefits had been stalled since the spring.

3 weeks ago

Workers for 8 Democratic members of Congress file to hold union vote

The vote comes after the House of Representatives voted 217-202 in May to approve a resolution that recognizes congressional workers’ right to unionize.

3 weeks ago

Hybrid work may be permanent fixture for government employees, Cisco finds

Since the pandemic, employee surveys and research have found that telework and remote work can be a bargaining chip for federal hiring managers.

4 weeks ago

Army staffers are testing digital PCS, permanent work-from-home plan

Human Resources Command is piloting PCS moves without the boxes and hassle of actually moving.

4 weeks ago

US Justice Dept. turns to reforming outsider Peters to run federal prisons

Peters will become only the second director in the agency’s history with no prior experience in the federal prisons system.

4 weeks ago

Union files grievance against US Treasury bureau after talks on remote work stopped

A spokesperson for the bureau said more employees will return onsite in phases over the next several weeks.

4 weeks ago

Maximus says hands tied on wages after Medicare call center workers protest

Maximus workers have demanded higher wages and better benefits due to the effects of inflation. However, Maximus said it is limited in its ability to offer more by a law from 1965.

5 weeks ago

GOP measure would stop federal contractor minimum wage from becoming permanent

The move is included in the House debate over the annual defense authorization bill.

5 weeks ago

Federal contract workers deserve better pay, Congress can help

Today, the federal contract workers who are arguably struggling the most are those employed by companies operating under the Service Contract Act. These “blended federal workforce” employees typically consist of individuals from low-income communities – often women of color – performing work such as housekeeping.

5 weeks ago

In this Aug. 18, 2020, file photo, mail delivery vehicles are parked outside a post office in Boys Town, Neb.

Why higher US Postal Service rates are here to stay

The cost of sending U.S. mail will rise soon rise to 60 cents per item. This year’s rate increase follows a price increase last August, and also USPS’ greatest ever price increase in 2019.

6 weeks ago

Six proven steps to Zero Trust

Agency leaders are working to adopt the mindset of trust nothing and verify everything to prioritize the transformation of legacy systems.

6 weeks ago

Office of Personnel Management keeps medical travel policy in wake of abortion ruling

The ruling, which was declared after a draft decision was leaked in May, overturns decades of precedent and permits state-by-state decisions on limiting or banning abortions.

6 weeks ago

US must prepare for proliferation of cyber warfare

To build cyber resilience in this heightened threat environment, agencies must work closely with both international counterparts and industry to align on a proactive, global approach to all cyber threats –– not just state-sponsored attacks.

7 weeks ago

What the Cyber Workforce bill means for federal IT professionals

President Biden signed the Federal Rotational Cyber Workforce Program Act into law, offering agencies a practical solution to the cyber staffing crisis—if they act proactively.

7 weeks ago

Talks over remote work for US Treasury employees suspended, union says

NTEU said it wants the bureau to return to negotiations on the pilot program as envisioned in the original agreement.

7 weeks ago

Defense electronic health records rollout is halfway done, even as VA’s is delayed

DoD remains on schedule to deploy its Genesis electronic health records system worldwide by the end of 2023.

7 weeks ago

Medical records are filed at the 341st Medical Operations Squadron personnel reliability assurance program clinic Jan. 30, 2017, at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont.

VA to delay electronic medical records deployment to additional sites until 2023

VA sites in Portland and Seattle were scheduled to start work with the new system later this year.

8 weeks ago

Federal call center employees protest over wages at Maximus headquarters

Workers at a federal call center run by Maximus Inc. planned to deliver a letter signed by 12,000 community supporters to the company’s management, asking for higher wages and better health benefits.

8 weeks ago

For federal retirees, COLA is not a retirement panacea for inflation

For January 2022, COLA jumped to 5.9%, the largest since 1982. Some may be wondering how much it will be adjusted for 2023 as prices have been rising since April.

8 weeks ago