Highlights from the Council meeting include approval of 24 implementation plans and return of 21. Permissive issue bargaining is apparently still a hot issue, and FLRA’s General Counsel and the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service will offer joint training on the Executive order.
“Poorly-paid federal employees cope as best they can. Many defer retirement and work into their late sixties or seventies. Some claim as many as thirty federal tax exemptions—this is a strategy that offers short-term relief and long-term headaches when the IRS catches on and garnishes their salary. Many work a second job.”
In the author’s last article, “Agencies Legally Discriminate Based on Sexual Orientation,” readers asked whether it is “really” legal for agencies to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation under the current law. Here is a response to these questions.
OPM recently encouraged employees to take an hour of administrative leave by walking from the office to view the area’s cherry blossoms. Is this a good idea? Our readers chime in with a variety of strong opinions.
The appeals court has sustained the firing of a VA Police Service lieutenant stemming from his treatment of a homeless visitor.
Discussion of “risk pools” and “call letters” from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) doesn’t sound very exciting. And, in most years, the issuing of an OPM call letter doesn’t generate much press publicity in the federal community. This year may be different though.
If the federal government’s deficit could be closed by increasing taxes, how much of an increase would be necessary? This article clearly illustrates the degree to which our government is spending money compared to what it is bringing in.
Do you work in downtown Washington, DC? If so, get ready for a nasty commute during the Nuclear Security Summit. OPM says you may want to stay home instead of trying to get to the office.
A lot of married women leave financial matters to their husbands to handle. Some single women leave their retirement up to fate. If you don’t know how to manage money now, that doesn’t mean you can’t learn. Here are some mistakes to avoid.
As Executive Order 13522 is implemented, career Federal execs face new challenges finding themselves sandwiched between political appointees with a series of agendas including making unions happy, and unions with great expectations of expanded influence. Walking that wire may be a very new experience for those who were not at the front in the Clinton years. The Author offers 10 morsels of food for thought.
