OPM Bolsters Federal Employees Voting, Administration Seeks Same for Native Communities
In March 2021, President Biden issued an executive order (E.O. 14019) to expand access to voting. New Administration guidance indicates that voting is now more than just an election day event.
OPM Renews Effort to Diversify SES, Launches Toolkit to Encourage Women Candidates
There may be more opportunities for women to join the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a new program to increase diversity within all federal offices.
GAO Report Highlights Need for Comprehensive OPM Guidance to Address Staffing Shortages
Using the personnel mobility program, established under the Intergovernmental Personnel Act of 1970 (PL 91-648), agencies can address critical skills gaps through temporary assignments.
OPM Issues Interim Rule for Recruiting and Hiring Student Interns
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) released an interim rule on August 18, 2021 that would make it easier for student interns to be hired by federal agencies. In the past, federal agencies have had stringent rules surrounding their internship programs leading to a path of full employment. This new policy would make it easier for agencies to recruit and retain talented interns.
OPM Issues Additional Guidance on Agency Reentry Plans
On July 23, 2021, Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Director Kiran Ahuja issued guidance on telework, pay, and travel as federal employees return to their offices. This new guidance supplements a June memo released by OPM, GSA, and OMB detailing reentry plans for federal employees, as FEDmanager reported last month.
CHCO Council Back Under OPM Jurisdiction
According to an Office of Personnel Management (OPM) press release dated July 20, 2021, OPM Director Kiran Ahuja announced that the Chief Human Capital Officers (CHCO) Council’s functions will be restored to OPM, after the previous administration split the council between OPM and the General Services Administration (GSA).
Travel Restrictions Lifted for Fully Vaccinated Federal Employees
The Safer Federal Workforce Task Force, led by the White House COVID-19 Response Team, the General Services Administration (GSA), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), recently announced updates to travel guidelines for federal employees. In accordance with CDC guidelines, the government has lifted all limits on official travel for fully vaccinated federal employees- meaning those who have received their final dose of COVID-19 vaccine at least two weeks previously.
OPM Announces a Special FSA Enrollment Period
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) recently announced that federal employees can enroll in flexible spending accounts from now through June 30, implementing provisions of the FY 2021 spending package and the COVID-19 relief bill passed in March 2021.
White House Releases Memo Detailing Workplace Reentry for Federal Employees
The Biden administration released a memo on June 10, 2021 to facilitate the safe, effective, and efficient return of federal employees to the physical workplace given the declining threat of COVID-19. The administration lifted the 25 percent occupancy rule for federal buildings, but continues to require detailed plans from agencies regarding return-to-work initiatives prior to increasing occupancy.
OPM Releases New Rule: Former Feds Can Be Re-hired at a Higher Pay Scale
A final rule released by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) on June 8, 2021 would make it easier for federal agencies to bring back former employees at a higher pay scale. Prior to the release of this rule, agencies could bring back ex-employees, but at the same pay grade they were receiving before they left federal service.
OPM Releases Tip Sheet Focusing on Employee Mental Health
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) released a tip sheet for human resources (HR) staff at federal agencies as employees prepare to return to the office following the pandemic. The release of the tip sheet coincides with May being Mental Health Awareness Month.
Republican, Democrat Lawmakers Offer Opposing Views on How to Bring Federal Employees Back into Office
In a May 18, 2021 letter to Kathleen McGettigan, Acting Director at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Representative Jody Hice (R-GA) called for federal employees to return to in-person work as soon as possible. On the contrary, Representative Gerry Connolly (D-VA) argued in his own letter that agencies must proceed with caution surrounding reopening to prevent harm to the federal workforce.
Federal Employees Incentivized to Pursue Post-Secondary Education
On May 7, 2021, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) released a memo which announced that federal employees would receive reduced tuition rates at six different university programs if they choose to pursue post-secondary education.
OPM Extends Deadline on Hiring Guidance for Agencies
A May 7, 2021 memo from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) extends the deadline for agency heads to develop agency assessment strategies that rely on more than just educational qualifications and applicant self-assessments when making hiring decisions.
OPM Issues Guidance on Emergency Paid Leave
On April 29, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issued guidance to agencies on COVID-19 Emergency Paid Leave, which was authorized in March when Congress approved the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
Unaccompanied Children Program Detailees Receive Biweekly Premium Pay Cap Waiver
On April 22, 2021, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) retroactively waived the biweekly cap on premium pay for employees performing work in support of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Unaccompanied Children (UC) program. Covered federal employees are subject instead to an annual premium pay cap for the full period they work in support of the HHS UC program.
OPM Director Nominee Faces Senate Hearing
On April 22, 2021, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs held a nominations hearing for Kiran Ahuja, President Biden’s pick to lead the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).
OPM Releases Flexibilities Related to FSAFEDS
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is making changes to the Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS) based on provisions in the FY 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), as well as Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Notice 2021-15.