Search:

Custom Search

Tougher Regulations at Federal Agencies
President-elect Barack Obama is signaling by a combination of words and deeds that his administration will toughen regulations at federal agencies that oversee consumer products, environmental policy and workplace safety and AFGE says it has placed 6 people on the transition team.

Posted: November 19, 2008 6:57 AM | Full Story | Discuss this Story

FBI Agent Killed
An FBI agent was shot and killed near Pittsburgh, PA while trying to serve a warrant.

Posted: November 19, 2008 8:36 PM | Full Story | Discuss this Story

One-Third of Federal Employees are Fully Engaged in Work
Employees who are fully engaged tend to work in offices that achieve better program results, call in sick less often and stay with their agencies longer according to a new report from the MSPB. The reports says that about 1/3 of federal employees are fully engaged in their work.

Posted: November 19, 2008 8:18 AM | Full Story | Discuss this Story

Long Erosion of the Civil Service
A professor from NYU says that the last eight years have been "a horror to many federal employees" and cites a "long erosion of the federal service." Part of his solution is to call for commitment from federal employees.

Posted: November 19, 2008 7:11 AM | Full Story | Discuss this Story

Planning for Retirement Means Managing Risk
The Internal Revenue Service has approved an increase in contribution limits to the TSP for 2009. An individual can contribute up $16,500. The catch-up contribution limit for employees ages 50 and older has increased by $500 to $5,500.

Posted: November 19, 2008 7:00 AM | Full Story | Discuss this Story

Still Pushing the 4-Day Workweek
Congressman Steny Hoyer has not given up on a 4-day workweek for federal employees.

Posted: November 19, 2008 8:03 AM | Full Story | Discuss this Story

Successful Fraud Investigation by Several Agencies Working Together
A physician in the Washington, DC area has agreed to pay $5,000,000 and forfeit his Porsche as a result of a fraud investigation and has been sentenced to 37 months in prison. A former federal employee on disability and on parole for prior crimes agreed to work with investigators to uncover the fraud. The former fed has been sentenced to 57 months in prison as a result of illegal activities.

Posted: November 19, 2008 7:32 AM | Full Story | Discuss this Story

Those Pesky Background Checks Can Lead to Removal
Can an employee fired during a probationary period successfully file an appeal with the MSPB if she is fired as a result of information uncovered during a background check? The MSPB said "no" and this case involving an IRS employee went to federal court.

Posted: November 18, 2008 7:12 AM | Full Story

Wanted: Healthcare Workers!
As many current federal employees are contemplating retiring, some are planning on continuing to work but in a different field or for a different employer, perhaps on a part-time basis. One area in which there are likely to be shortages of workers is in health care.

Posted: November 18, 2008 6:59 AM | Full Story

Headline Archives »

The Latest News

About FedSmith.com

FedSmith.com is your one-stop Federal Government news and resource Web site, providing current news, Thrift Savings Plan rates and information, retirement news, General Schedule pay rate information, readers' discussion blogs, and surveys on news and topics of interest to both current and former federal employees. Read More »

Write for Us

Do you like to write articles on subjects of general interest to the federal workforce? Consider sharing your knowledge through the FedSmith site. Our guest authors share their expertise and impact issues of interest to the federal workforce. Some of our authors are consultants and trainers and can simultaneously promote their business through their articles. Visit our guest author page to learn more about the benefits of writing for FedSmith.com.

Featured Authors

picture of Phil Varnak Phil Varnak

Phil Varnak is a professional writer and trainer on federal HR management issues with several decades of experience working for the federal government.

picture of John Grobe John Grobe

John Grobe is an expert on the federal government's human resources system with over 25 years of experience. His articles on retirement and federal HR issues are informative and enlightening and demonstrate his knowledge of the federal system.

picture of Bob Gilson Bob Gilson

Bob Gilson is a writer, trainer, advisor specializing in labor and employee relations. Bob enjoys opportunities to needle some pompous institutions.