{Image: GovExec.com}
Workforce Week
August 23, 2004
The free weekly e-mail newsletter that focuses on the pay, benefits, hiring and human
capital management issues that affect every employee, manager and executive in the
federal government. Also, check out { Link: http://www.govexec.com }
http://www.govexec.com for more tools to help you manage your career and the business
of America.
You can also view this newsletter at: { Link:
http://www.govexec.com/email/workforce.htm }
http://www.govexec.com/email/workforce.htm
_____
_____
Brought to you by The U.S. Office of Personnel Management
{ Link:
http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;10246431;5622871;z?http://apps.opm.gov/conference/index.cfm
}
{Image: Brought to you by The U.S. Office of Personnel Management }
The U.S. Office of Personnel Management is hosting the 2004 Federal Workforce
Conference: Working for America on September 8-10, 2004, in Baltimore, MD.
OPM Director Kay Coles James, "This conference is a fantastic opportunity for key
players in the Federal human resources (HR) field, to learn, share and exchange ideas
in the company of professional colleagues who enjoy the unique privilege of Working
for America."
Find all the details - { Link:
http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;10246431;5622871;z?http://apps.opm.gov/conference/index.cfm
}
www.opm.gov/conference or 304-870-8070.
_____
_____
In this issue:
* Senior executives fear new salary rules will roll back job protections
* Union fights decision to change work schedules for some CMS employees
* OPM says its hiring success can be a model for the government
* Study finds positive impression of federal government workers
* Agencies stand to lose money over telework eligibility
* Military counseling services will stay in place
* Troop realignment could cut Defense civilian jobs
* OPM issues emergency personnel regulations after hurricane hits Florida
* Federal spending benefits capital region, report finds
* This week's column: Pay and Benefits Watch
* Quote of the week
_____
1. Senior executives fear new salary rules will roll back job protections
By Shawn Zeller
The Senior Executives Association is lobbying Tom Davis, R-Va., chairman of the House
Government Reform Committee, to urge the Office of Personnel Management to revise new
regulations governing agency performance management systems.
SEA President Carol Bonosaro said she hopes Davis will intervene with OPM so that the
new rules will provide an annual cost-of-living adjustment for senior executives who
receive a rating of at least "fully successful."
Under regulations issued last month, agencies can use their discretion in determining
whether or not to award raises to any executives. "It makes no sense," says Bonosaro.
Full story: { Link: http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0804/081904sz1.htm }
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0804/081904sz1.htm
_____
2. Union fights decision to change work schedules for some CMS employees
By Shawn Zeller
The American Federation of Government Employees has asked the Federal Service Impasses
Panel to reconsider a May ruling that allowed the Center for Medicare and Medicaid
Services to reduce the range of alternative work schedules available to employees. On
Wednesday, the union said it had filed a "motion for reconsideration" with the panel
after it ruled in favor of CMS management on 25 of 26 disputed issues.
The impasses panel's ruling means that CMS employees will no longer be able to combine
flexible work schedules. An employee who works flex-time, for example, would not be
able to also work from home. At the same time, union stewards would not be able to
work alternative schedules if they perform union duties during the work day.
Beyond work schedules, a number of other issues were involved in the case, including
employee rights, health and safety concerns, work hours, parking, recycling,
contracting out, equal employment opportunity and employee performance evaluation.
Full story: { Link: http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0804/081804sz1.htm }
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0804/081804sz1.htm
_____
3. OPM says its hiring success can be a model for the government
By David McGlinchey
Officials at the Office of Personnel Management said Wednesday that they have
developed and proven a method that could solve hiring problems across the federal
government.
According to OPM, the agency has hired 278 employees over nine months, taking an
average of 36 days to hire each one. OPM has been pushing a formula that calls for
employees to be hired within 45 days after the vacancy announcement is closed.
"Our results prove it can be done," said OPM Director Kay Coles James. "We have hired
278 people into a variety of important occupations ... we are in a competition with
the private sector for talent, and OPM is doing what it can to help agencies hire the
very best job candidates."
Full story: { Link: http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0804/081904d1.htm }
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0804/081904d1.htm
_____
4. Study finds positive impression of federal government workers
By David McGlinchey
Most Americans view the federal government positively, but there still are some
enduring stereotypes that must be dispelled, according to a study released Wednesday
by the Partnership for Public Service.
"Despite long-standing negative stereotypes about government work, the research shows
that Americans have a favorable impression of the federal government," according to
the report, A New Call to Service in an Age of Savvy Altruism. "Our research found
that more than 62 percent of the American people we surveyed view the federal
government favorably, and 91 percent say that the jobs and duties of federal
government workers are 'important' in their lives."
The report found also that future federal recruiting should advertise the opportunity
to help others and advance a career. The report called this "idealism that takes you
places."
Full story: { Link: http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0804/081804d1.htm }
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0804/081804d1.htm
_____
5. Agencies stand to lose money over telework eligibility
>From National Journal's Technology Daily
A number of federal entities stand to lose as much as $5 million each if they do not
certify that their workers are eligible for teleworking, but the government has not
clearly defined "certification" other than to ask agencies to sign a document stating
that they have made the option of teleworking available to all employees.
The Office of Personnel Management is using the document to compile an annual survey
of agencies' progress on the matter.
A provision in the House appropriations bill for fiscal 2005 for the Commerce, Justice
and State departments and other agencies said they must certify that they have made
telework an option for their employees by 2004.
Full story: { Link: http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0804/081804tdpm1.htm }
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0804/081804tdpm1.htm
_____
_____
Brought to you by The U.S. Office of Personnel Management
{ Link:
http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;10246431;5622871;z?http://apps.opm.gov/conference/index.cfm
}
{Image: Brought to you by The U.S. Office of Personnel Management }
The U.S. Office of Personnel Management is hosting the 2004 Federal Workforce
Conference: Working for America on September 8-10, 2004, in Baltimore, MD.
OPM Director Kay Coles James, "This conference is a fantastic opportunity for key
players in the Federal human resources (HR) field, to learn, share and exchange ideas
in the company of professional colleagues who enjoy the unique privilege of Working
for America."
Find all the details - { Link:
http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;10246431;5622871;z?http://apps.opm.gov/conference/index.cfm
}
www.opm.gov/conference or 304-870-8070.
_____
_____
6. Military counseling services will stay in place
By Shane Harris
The General Services Administration has extended a contract to provide mental health
and counseling services to military service members, a move that likely will please
Defense Department officials, but roil industry executives who have complained that
the contract was unfairly awarded.
GSA awarded a "bridge contract" to Ceridian Corp. so that the company could continue
providing services under the Military One Source project, an online resource for
service members and their families to obtain various mental health and counseling
services, including referrals to physicians. The contract, which took effect Aug. 8,
expires in six months. At that time, GSA will hold a new competition, said agency
spokeswoman Mary Alice Johnson.
The One Source contract has been subject to controversy since last year, when it was
discovered that a unit of GSA made the award using a contract designed for information
technology services, not counseling. The unit, the Federal Technology Service, is
under investigation by the GSA inspector general for similar misuse of technology
contracts in some of its 11 regional offices. FTS procures goods and services on
behalf of other agencies for a fee. The Denver regional office handled the One Source
contract for the Defense Department.
Full story: { Link: http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0804/081704h1.htm }
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0804/081704h1.htm
_____
7. Troop realignment could cut Defense civilian jobs
By George Cahlink
Hundreds of Defense Department civilian jobs overseas likely will be eliminated as
part of the Pentagon's plans to bring tens of thousands of troops back to the United
States within the next decade.
"There probably will be some reductions in the numbers of civilians and contractors on
the payroll by virtue of the fact that you will be closing or removing U.S. force
structure from up to half, arguably, of the installations where we currently have
force structure," a senior Defense Department official told reporters at a briefing on
last week. The official spoke only on the condition that he not be identified.
Earlier in the day, President Bush announced long-anticipated plans for the largest
realignment of forces since the end of the Cold War. He said as many as 70,000 troops
would be removed from Europe or Asia and returned mainly to the United States. The
size of the military will not change, however, only its location, Defense officials
stressed.
Full story: { Link: http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/804/081604g1.htm }
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/804/081604g1.htm
_____
8. OPM issues emergency personnel regulations after hurricane hits Florida
By David McGlinchey
The Office of Personnel Management earlier this month issued a series of regulations
to help federal agencies respond to the aftermath of Hurricane Charley and hire
emergency personnel who are needed in recovery efforts.
At the same time, a federal workers' aid organization established a fund to help
employees who were affected by the heavy rain and high winds, and the IRS has extended
payment deadlines for certain taxpayers in hard-hit counties. Hurricane Charley struck
Florida late last week, causing billions of dollars in damage and killing at least 17
people.
The regulations were announced in a memorandum to chief human capital officers and
human resource directors and were intended to grant agencies flexibility in hiring and
leave. OPM also lifted restrictions on biweekly pay limitations for employees
performing emergency overtime work. OPM Director Kay Coles James "strongly encouraged"
managers to excuse federal employees who are called to help with recovery efforts and
employees who were personally affected by the hurricane.
Full story: { Link: http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0804/081604d1.htm }
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0804/081604d1.htm
_____
9. Federal spending benefits capital region, report finds
By Amelia Gruber
Federal agencies are purchasing increasing percentages of services from capital region
companies, boosting the local economy, according to a study published last week by a
George Mason University professor.
In fiscal 2003, the most recent year for which data are available, the government
spent $42.2 billion in Washington and surrounding suburbs, representing 15 percent of
the total prime contract dollars awarded, according to a report by Stephen Fuller,
director of the Center of Regional Analysis at George Mason University's School of
Public Policy. This marks an increase of $6.1 billion, or nearly 17 percent, over
fiscal 2002, when the capital region garnered $36.1 billion in contract dollars.
Federal contracts awarded to companies in or near Washington supported 294,000
regional jobs and spurred 42,500 new jobs, according to the report. Fuller's research
is based on statistics from the federal Procurement Data Center, a central repository
of contract information housed at the General Services Administration.
Full story: { Link: http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0804/081604a1.htm }
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0804/081604a1.htm
_____
10. This week's column: Pay and Benefits Watch
Appealing Overtime
Three federal workers' unions are petitioning an appeals court to take another look at
a case involving overtime for federal workers.
Full column: { Link: http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0804/081904pb.htm }
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0804/081904pb.htm
_____
11. Quote of the Week:
"Despite long-standing negative stereotypes about government work, the research shows
that Americans have a favorable impression of the federal government."
-- A { Link: http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0804/081804d1.htm }
new report from the Partnership for Public Service finds the federal workforce fares
well in public opinion.
_____
In the Mailbag
Read what federal employees are saying about the 9/11 Commission and the federal
hiring process.
Click here: { Link: http://www.govexec.com/mailbag.cfm }
http://www.govexec.com/mailbag.cfm
_____
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
To unsubscribe from Workforce Week e-newsletter
visit this link http://wfw-media.com/uzAAGungAABXkB
Note: It may take our system up to two business days
to process your unsubscribe request and during that time
you may receive one or two more newsletters.
Thank you for reading GovExec.com.
This message was sent from GovExec.com to e-mail address
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~-->
Make a clean sweep of pop-up ads. Yahoo! Companion Toolbar.
Now with Pop-Up Blocker. Get it for free!
http://us.click.yahoo.com/L5YrjA/eSIIAA/yQLSAA/BCfwlB/TM
--------------------------------------------------------------------~->
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kumpulan/
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
