Beware of Your Corporate-Speak
Fast-tracking. Determining metrics. Capturing action items. Maybe it would be better if we all just spoke and wrote to each other like we were human beings.
Federal Workforce News
Stay updated with breaking news and major events affecting federal employees, including government shutdowns, office closures, emergency announcements, legislative developments, and nationwide issues impacting federal agencies and the federal workforce.
Is Your Health Plan Leaving the Federal Program? Check to Be Sure or Suffer the Consequences
Procrastination is easy and may work well in many instances. But, if you want to continue your federal employee health insurance in 2011, check to make sure your plan is not opting out of the federal program or you may find you do not have health insurance in 2011.
Like Milk, 2010 Has an Expiration Date
Roth Conversions can be done after 2010, but at what cost? The 2010 expiration date on Roth conversions is quickly approaching which means that beginning January 1, 2011, the best opportunities to reduce the tax on a Roth conversion may be behind us.
National Labor-Management Relations Council Meeting Information
The author is sending out the notes and handouts from the 6th Meeting of the National Labor-Management Relations Council on September 20, 2010. The author adds comments that it appears the real purpose of the order may finally becoming clear.
HR 6134: Mandatory Unpaid Leave for Federal Employees
The purpose of HR 6134 is: “To provide for a 10 percent reduction in pay for Members of Congress, to make Federal civilian employees subject to a period of mandatory unpaid leave, and to reduce appropriations for salaries and expenses for offices of the legislative branch, during fiscal year 2011, and for other purposes.”
Office of Special Counsel Prosecutes HR Specialists for Allegedly Helping Agency Management Pre-select a Candidate: The Sequel
From the perspective of a selecting official, the key to avoiding pre-selection is to remain open-minded when considering all of the candidates referred to you, since the best-qualified candidate may be someone from outside your unit, your agency, and perhaps even the Federal Government.
Changes to Your Federal Health Care Plan
Health care has been at the top of the legislative agenda for the White House and Congressional Democrats and, now that the legislation has passed, there will be changes to the federal employee health care program. Here are some of the changes you will see in January 2011.
Three Things Almost Everyone Forgets When Preparing a Presentation
Whether you’re preparing a major speech, or just planning to introduce a colleague in a meeting, you want to make sure all the words you plan to use are easy for you to read and say and for your audience to hear. Here are a few suggestions.
Cows, People and Flying – A Second Look
Ralph found on a recent experience with airline travel that some people will develop a herd mentality in crowded situations. Another FedSmith author gives his take on the situation.
Check Your TSP: Worst August for Stocks Since 2001
Thrift Savings Plan investors are undoubtedly disappointed with the returns in the TSP funds in August and so far in 2010. Stocks are down for the month–at a rate not seen since August 2001.
