For Those Informed and Entertained by Steve Oppermann
Two friends and colleagues of Steve Oppermann, who recently passed away, provide their remembrance of Steve and his contributions to the federal community.
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.
New Locality Pay Areas? Not in 2014
Despite the recommendations of the Federal Salary Council, locality pay areas will be the same in 2014 as they were in 2013.
Develop Your Competitive Edge by Increasing Your Value
The only way to stand out from the crowd is to develop your competitive edge. The author offers some tips on how to do this in your federal career.
Reintroducing Myself – To Me
A retired federal employee who was a regular contributor to FedSmith, recounts his fight with cancer in his final articles. Steve passed away on December 22, 2013 after a long fight with the serious illness he described in his articles.
Senate Passes Budget Bill
The Senate has passed the Ryan-Murray budget agreement. The House passed the bill earlier this week. Pension contributions would increase for new federal employees under the terms of the agreement.
Satisfaction with Government Jobs Dropping
Despite problems with furloughs, a salary freeze and disparaging publicity about the federal government, some agencies came out with good ratings on job satisfaction from employees.
Pay Freeze Likely to be Ending in January
The long, strange road for a federal employee pay raise has gone through twists and turns but appears likely to be implemented in January, ending the pay freeze that has been in place since 2011.
VA Claims Backlog Falls But More Work Ahead
The Department of Veterans Affairs has reduced a disability claims backlog but more work remains to be done, according to recent testimony before the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
Postal Service Retirees, Medicare, and Implications for Other Federal Retirees
The Postal Service wants to put all retirees under Medicare in order to save billions of dollars. When this is considered by Congress, look out for a similar change proposed for the remainder of the federal workforce.
Budget Agreement To Increase Pension Contributions for New Employees
Pension contributions paid by federal civilian workers hired after January 1, 2014 would increase by 1.3% under the new budget agreement according to reports. It would also allow OPM to create a self-plus-one option in the federal employee health program.
