IRS Investigators Recover Over $3.6 Billion in Cryptocurrency
The Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) confiscated more than $3.6 billion worth of cryptocurrency associated with the 2016 hack of Bitfinex, an online digital currency exchange.
White House Expected to Propose 4.6% Federal Employee Pay Raise in FY 2023
In the White House's fiscal year 2023 budget request, the Biden administration is projected to propose the largest pay raise for federal employees in 15 years at 4.6 percent.
OMB Contends Vaccine Mandate Injunction Costs Up to $5 Million a Week
Among other documents, the White House submitted estimates regarding the cost of testing in the absence of a vaccine requirement to the District Court for the Southern District of Texas.
House Passes CR, Third Stopgap Bill Likely to Prevent Government Shutdown
House Appropriations Committee Chair Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) unveiled a short-term continuing resolution that would avert a government shutdown when funding runs out on February 18, 2022.
Safer Federal Workforce Task Force Issues FAQ on Quarantine and Isolation Procedures
In the wake of a federal court’s injunction on the vaccine mandate for federal employees, the Biden Administration has temporarily halted disciplinary actions for non-compliance. However, the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force (Task Force) continues to provide new guidance for federal employees regarding leave, quarantining, testing, and other COVID-19 related areas not covered by the injunction.
Reports Highlights Junior Staffer Pay Disparity on Capitol Hill
While top House of Representatives employees earned a potential salary boost last year when Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) separated member and staffer salary caps, a new report indicates junior staffers have not seen the same pay increases.
Federal Appeals Court Overturns FLRA Decision in Immigration Judges’ Union Case Amid Calls for an Independent Court
On January 28, 2022, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit overturned the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA)’s decision to strip the National Association of Immigration Judges (NAIJ) of its collective bargaining powers.
Federal Judge Blocks Federal Employee Vaccine Mandate
In a ruling issued by a federal judge in the Southern District of Texas, the Biden Administration is unable to enforce Executive Order 14043 (EO), mandating vaccination for federal employees. The ruling halts all impending disciplinary actions.
OPM Guidance Raises Minimum Wage for Civilian Federal Employees to $15 Per Hour
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has issued guidance on how agencies should ensure civilian federal employees earn at least $15 per hour, modifying both the General Schedule (GS) and Federal Wage Service (FWS) pay scales.
Disasters Leading to FEMA Staffing Shortages, Hinders Mission Success
Last week, government oversight and former Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials testified before a congressional panel regarding agency bandwidth and inadequate workforce training, despite significant hiring efforts.
FDA Engages in Strategic Workforce Planning, But Lacks Agency-wide Plan to Ensure Effective Management
According to a new report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) uses the flexibility in hiring and pay requirements afforded by the 21st Century Cures Act (Cures Act) to recruit and retain medical staff.
DHS Climate Change Initiative Realized in New Recruitment Program
In support of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) focus on adapting to climate change, the department has launched a Climate Change Professionals Program. The Department intends the program to act as a recruitment tool for recent graduates and current federal employees.
Taxpayer Advocate Raises Concerns for 2022 Tax Season, Urges IRS Funding
In her 2021 Annual Report to Congress, the National Taxpayer Advocate Erin M. Collins referred to calendar year 2021 as the most challenging year ever for taxpayers and tax professionals and credits the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for performing well under difficult circumstances.
Agencies Tasked to Develop COVID-19 Testing Programs for Unvaccinated Employees
On January 11, 2022, the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force issued new and updated guidance regarding COVID-19 testing and vaccinations.
Proposed Rule Instituting the Cummings Act, an Aid to Federal Whistleblowers
Following a 2021 law to improve agency accountability and transparency in discrimination-related incidents, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has proposed rule to implement new regulations governing Federal anti-discrimination and whistleblower protection.
Federal Retirement Processing Times Rise Again in 2021
According to the latest figures from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the agency's fiscal year (FY) to-date average processing time for federal retirement increased to 89 days in the final month of 2021. As of the end of the year, there were 26,730 outstanding retirement claims, marking the second highest retirement backlog in a decade.
Pulse Survey Preliminary Insights Reveal Federal Managers are Navigating Reentry
The President’s Management Council recently disclosed preliminary results from their inaugural federal pulse survey. In October of last year, the Council launched the survey focusing on three topics: employee engagement, inclusion, and the reentry process.
OPM Reports Nearly Half of Federal Employees Teleworked in FY 2020
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) recently released its fiscal year (FY) 2020 annual report to Congress on telework across the federal government. Conducted between November 1 and December 12, 2020, OPM distributed online surveys to 91 agencies, of which 87 responded.