Want to Rate Your Job? You May Get the Opportunity
The Office of Personnel Management has begun distributing the 2015 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey, and the OPM director wants to make sure you fill out the survey if you receive one.
Employee Relations
Outlining and Scripting Keys to Successful Witness Preparation
The author says that witness preparation is a very important step in the planning process for a successful hearing. In his second article on the subject, he outlines some specific tips to cover with your witnesses when preparing for a hearing.
Rep. Meadows Offering Federal Employees a Tip Line to Report Anonymous Grievances
Congressman Mark Meadows (R-NC) has set up an anonymous tip line to let federal employees express their frustrations about problems they see in their workplace.
Legislation Would Make It Easier to Fire VA Employees
Congressman Jeff Miller (F-FL) is introducing legislation that would give the Department of Veterans Affairs secretary sweeping new authority to fire corrupt or incompetent employees for cause.
Government Has a Lot to Learn from Google
The typical work environment in a federal agency no doubt has little in common with Google’s, but government can still learn something from Google’s practices, especially with regards to how managers lead (or fail to lead) employees in the federal workforce. The author explains how he believes this to be so.
OPM Releases Guidance on President’s New Paid Parental Leave Policy
The Office of Personnel Management has released a new handbook for federal employees that provides details on the president’s new paid parental leave policy that was announced in January as well as details about many other benefits available to the federal workforce.
Former DEA Employee Pleads Guilty to Credit Card Fraud Scheme
A former DEA employee admits guilt in a scheme to obtain fraudulent credit cards and then used them to withdraw more than $113,000 from ATMs.
FedSmith.com Users Want Their Bosses to Stop Micromanaging
FedSmith.com users indicated in a recent survey a common theme: they feel there is a need for federal managers to stop micromanaging their employees. The author, who is a consultant focusing primarily on pay and performance, analyzes the responses from the survey and what they mean for federal employees.
Witness Preparation: The Key to Success
The author says that witness preparation is a very important step in the preparation process for a successful hearing. He recounts some of his own personal experiences to illustrate why he believes this to be so.
FedSmith.com Users Provide Suggestions for Improving the Federal Work Experience
FedSmith.com recently asked our users for their suggestions on ways to improve the federal work experience. The responses covered a number of areas respondents felt needed improvement, such as agency leadership or dealing with problem employees. The author takes a closer look at the feedback received and gives his analysis as to what it means for the federal workforce.
