Sunday, January 18, 2009
Federal authorities release sketches of suspects in robbery at Fairfield post office
"...Robinson said the U. S. Postal Service is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information and services that lead to the arrest and conviction of the suspects..."
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Washington's Wealth Boom
Article Title: Washington's Wealth Boom
Snippet from Article: "...in 2005, the average federal employee made $106,579 per year including benefits, about twice as much as the average person makes in the private sector. ..."
Source: www.foxnews.com
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Government Employee Benefits
Article Title: Government Employee Benefits
Snippet from Article: "...Federal government employees enjoy a wide range of "family-friendly" benefits that go far beyond insurance and retirement. Each agency is free to offer its own benefits package. The following is a sample of the benefits available to permanent Federal employee...."
Source: usgovinfo.about.com
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
TSP Tip
A Simple Change to Your TSP Contributions Could Save You Money
Article Title: A Simple Change to Your TSP Contributions Could Save You Money
Snippet from Article: "...federal employees under the FERS system should be careful when adjusting their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) contributions each year...."
Source: www.fedsmith.com
2009 Disabled Veteran Compensation Rates
Article Title: VA Disability Compensation Rates
Snippet from Article: "...tables show the 2009 VA compensation rates for veterans with a disability rating 10 percent or higher. These rates are effective as of 1 December, 2008...."
Source: www.military.com
Instant Depression
Article Title: Instant Depression
Snippet from Article: "...Many, if not most, federal, postal and military investors in the federal Thrift Savings Plan are not happy with their account balances right now. Unless they had most or all of their money in the G and F funds...."
Source: www.federalnewsradio.com
Monday, January 5, 2009
Top technology advances of 2008
Article Title: Top technology advances of 2008
Snippet from Article: "...In March of 2007, the Office of Management and Budget issued its “Implementation of Commonly Accepted Security Configurations for Windows Operating Systems” memo mandating government agencies to standardize the configuration of approximately 300 configurations to bolster security with the release of Microsoft Vista™. ..."
Source: Carolyn Brubaker at FutureFed - The Microsoft Federal Blog
USPS Presidential Inaguration Commemorative Souvenir
Article Title: USPS Presidential Inaguration Commemorative Souvenir
Snippet from Article: "...A collectible stamped envelope with silk portraits of the newly elected President Barack Obama and Vice President-Elect Joseph Biden. An official commemorative Inaugural Digital Color Postmark...."
Source: www.usps.com
Sunday, January 4, 2009
FBI Jobs
Article Title: FBI Jobs
Snippet from Article: "...FBI MEGA HIRING TO FILL OVER 2100 PROFESSIONAL STAFF POSITIONS! UPDATES WILL BE ADDED DAILY THROUGH JANUARY 5, 2009. QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL STAFF CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED TO PARTICIPATE IN A CAREER INVITATIONAL. ADDITIONALLY, THE FBI MUST HIRE 850 SPECIAL AGENTS...."
Source: www.fbijobs.gov
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Report shows mixed job satisfication for federal employees
Article Title: Report shows mixed job satisfication for federal employees
Snippet from Article: "...The report writers said, “Although supervisors are key to effective workforce management, federal employees continue to report that supervisors’ management abilities are inferior to their technical competence. That persistent gap suggests that agencies need to examine both what they expect of their supervisors, and how they select, develop, and evaluate their supervisors.”..."
Source: ohmygov.com
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Federal employee accuses government of misconduct in Stevens probe
Article Title: Federal employee accuses government of misconduct in Stevens probe
Snippet from Article: "...The judge also reported that the whistleblower accused at least two federal employees of intentionally violating government policies in the corruption investigation in Alaska..."
Source: www.kansascity.com
Thursday, December 25, 2008
A Lesson for Obama on Reaching Out to the Federal Workforce
Article Title: A Lesson for Obama on Reaching Out to the Federal Workforce
Snippet from Article: "...Obama's agenda may initially be tied to action by Congress, but it will be implemented by the federal workforce, and the ultimate success of his administration will rest with the capacity of the government to perform. ..."
Source: www.washingtonpost.com
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Are we next?
Article Title: Letter to the Editor of the Las Vegas Sun: GOP senators want to get rid of UAW
Snippet from Article: "...during the past eight years, we have seen jobs move overseas, massive layoffs, and now this union-busting effort. ..."
Source: www.lasvegassun.com
Sunday, December 21, 2008
AFGE
Article Title: AFGE
Snippet from Article: "...he American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is the largest federal employee union representing 600,000 federal and D.C. government workers nationwide and overseas. Workers in virtually all functions of government at every federal agency depend upon AFGE for legal representation, legislative advocacy, technical expertise and informational services.
The union is headquartered in Washington, D.C...."
Source: www.afge.org
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Presidential order excuses federal employees from duty Dec. 26
Article Title: Presidential order excuses federal employees from duty Dec. 26
Snippet from Article: "...Part-time employees will receive pay only if they are regularly scheduled to work. Compensatory time off is not authorized for work performed on a holiday for which holiday premium pay is applicable. The regulations for regular full-time employees differ depending on their scheduled work week. ..."
Source: www.edwards.af.mil
Blue Cross revamps 2009 charges for out-of-network surgery
Article Title: Blue Cross revamps 2009 charges for out-of-network surgery
Snippet from Article: "...Blue Cross originally wanted to have members pay up to a maximum of $7,500 for out-of-network, non-emergency surgeries in 2009. But some lawmakers, unions and some federal employees objected to the change..."
Source: www.federaltimes.com
Saturday, December 13, 2008
TSP
Article Title: Good News? TSP Funds Don't Go Down As Much in November as in October
Snippet from Article: "...Of course, the returns for November did not include the big drop that occurred on December 1st. ..."
Source: www.fedsmith.com
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Explore Federal Policy Careers
Plum Book Transition 08 Jobs
Article Title: Explore Federal Policy Careers
Snippet from Article: "...Every four years, just after the Presidential election, the “United States Government Policy and Supporting Positions”, commonly known as the Plum Book, is published, alternately, by the House Committee on Government Reform and the Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia (OGM) of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs...."
Source: www.transitionjobs.us
Monday, December 8, 2008
Obama and the Windfall Elimination Provision
Article Title: Obama and the Windfall Elimination Provision
Snippet from Article: "...Barack Obama cosponsored the Social Security Fairness Act, which would repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset.">Barack Obama cosponsored the Social Security Fairness Act, which would repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset...."
Source: www.barackobama.com
Fed benefits Open Season won’t be extended, despite congressional request
Article Title: Fed benefits Open Season won’t be extended, despite congressional request
Snippet from Article: "...received numerous complaints about significant premium and co-pay increases on one of the most popular FEHB plan, Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s Standard Option. In addition to a 13 percent hike..."
Source: ohmygov.com
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Feds say Detroit mail handler stole phones
Article Title: Feds say Detroit mail handler stole phones
Snippet from Article: "...The Postal Service says a mail handler stole hundreds of cell phones while working at a processing center. Agents got a tip in late October from someone who saw
Source: archives.chicagotribune.com
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Federal Employee Gateway at www.usa.gov
Article Title: Federal Employee Gateway at www.usa.gov
This site offers vital information for the Federal Employee. Benefits and Pay, Budget and Contracting, Cross-Agency Collaboration, Electronic Government and Information Technology, Federal Employment Policies and Resources, For Military Personnel and Veterans, Travel, Federal Holidays, Hotels with Government Rates, Personnel Records, Workforce Statistics
Source: www.usa.gov
Monday, December 1, 2008
STATUS OF 2009 PAY ADJUSTMENTS
Article Title: STATUS OF 2009 PAY ADJUSTMENTS
Snippet from Article: "...Congress passed and the President signed legislation providing a 3.9 percent overall average pay increase for General Schedule employees in 2009. However, the statute authorizes the President to allocate the overall increase between an across-the-board increase and locality payments that vary by locality. OPM will publish pay tables for 2009 on its website as soon as possible after the President issues an Executive Order allocating the overall increase between an across-the-board increase and locality pay and establishes locality pay rates for 2009...."
Source: http://www.opm.gov/oca/08TABLES/
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Save Your 401 (k) Before the Feds Replace it With the GRA
Article Title: Save Your 401 (k) Before the Feds Replace it With the GRA
Snippet from Article: "...unlike some mandatory savings plans, GRAs are not personal, per se, as they do not allow individuals to pick from a limited array of funds like the federal Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) does. The money would instead be pooled and invested by the government as it sees fit...."
Source: www.dcexaminer.com
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
TSP participants shift $4.3 billion into safe G Fund in October
Article Title: TSP participants shift $4.3 billion into safe G Fund in October
Snippet from Article: "...As of the end of October, the I Fund had lost nearly 43 percent of its value, while the C and S funds had lost roughly a third of their value...."
Source: www.federaltimes.com
Possible NY terror threat sparks concern
Article Title: Possible NY terror threat sparks concern
Snippet from Article: "...the FBI had received a "plausible but unsubstantiated" claim that al-Qaida terrorists might have discussed attacking the subway system. Sources said the threat might also have been directed at passenger rail lines running through New York...."
Source: www.connpost.com
Monday, November 24, 2008
536 Chattanooga USPS Employees Seek New Jobs
"...with new technology improvements, postal computers are currently able to read and process 95 percent of the mail electronically...."
This Article is From: www.newschannel9.com
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Obama Expands Stimulus Plan
Article Title: Obama Expands Stimulus Plan Obama Expands Stimulus Plan
Snippet from Article: "..."We have now lost 1.2 million jobs this year," Obama said. "And if we don't act swiftly and boldly, most experts now believe that we could lose millions of jobs next year."..."
Source: www.courant.com
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
AFGE LEADERSHIP TO DISCUSS UNION'S GOALS DURING OBAMA ADMINISTRATION ON "INSIDE GOVERNMENT"
Article Title: AFGE LEADERSHIP TO DISCUSS UNION'S GOALS DURING OBAMA ADMINISTRATION ON "INSIDE GOVERNMENT"
Snippet from Article: www.afge.org "...hosted by AFGE Assistant General Counsel Ward Morrow, can be heard Fridays at 10:00 a.m. ET nationally on demand (available anytime) at www.federalnewsradio.com or 1500 AM in the Washington, D.C., area.Programs are archived on the Federal News Radio Web site and can be heard on demand (available anytime) at www.federalnewsradio.com...."
Source: www.afge.org
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Postal Employment Blog
Read More
NOT-AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE
Obama Urged to Tackle Frustrations of Federal Employees
Reviving a Dispirited Workforce
Article Title: Reviving a Dispirited Workforce
Snippet from Article: "...When President Obama takes over in January as manager in chief of nearly 2 million federal employees, he will need a plan to reinvigorate a frustrated and demoralized workforce..."
Source: www.washingtonpost.com
USPS INAUGURATION DAY COMMEMORATIVE Collectible Stamped Envelope
Article Title: USPS INAUGURATION DAY COMMEMORATIVE Collectible Stamped Envelope
Snippet from Article: "...commemorative souvenir to mark the upcoming inauguration of Barack Obama as America’s 44th President. The national philatelic item will be part of a folio that also includes:..."
Source: postal-newsgroup
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Employee groups lay out priorities for next president, Congress
Article Title: Employee groups lay out priorities for next president, Congress
Snippet from Article: "...It's too early to tell how the 2010 federal pay raise will pan out, but if history is a guide, then federal employees should be in line to receive a hike of at least 2.9 percent, according to the third quarter Employment Cost Index released by the Labor Department late last month...."
Source: www.govexec.com
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Feds Sued Over $900 Million Nuke Support Contract
Article Title: Feds Sued Over $900 Million Nuke Support Contract
Snippet from Article: "...Contractors will provide IT support services for StratCom's Space Surveillance Network, missile warning systems, and Computer Network Defense, Exploitation, and Attack system, as well as..."
Source: www.informationweek.com
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Federal Employees -v- Contractors in weapons procurement
Article Title: What's Wrong with Weapons Acquisitions?
Snippet from Article: "...the DOD has admitted, contractors are doing jobs that should be performed only by federal employees, such as weapons procurement and contract preparation. The DOD has also outsourced the systems integration and management of some of its most critical programs, including the FCS...."
Source: www.spectrum.ieee.org
Federal Employees Health Benefits Program
Snippet from Article: "...Many other Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) carriers did not see such high rate increases..."
Source: www.aishealth.com
Faster Promotions Coming for Some Federal Employees
Article Title: Faster Promotions Coming for Some Federal Employees
Snippet from Article: "...The Office of Personnel Management has issued a new rule that becomes effective on March 9th that will impact a number of federal employees..."
Source: www.fedsmith.com
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Wearing or Displaying Presidential Candidate Items after the Election
Article Title: Wearing or Displaying Presidential Candidate Items after the Election
Snippet from Article: "...Even though Senators McCain and Obama will still be Presidential candidates until January 6, 2009, we do not believe that wearing their campaign t-shirts or displaying their pictures after Election Day is activity directed at the success of their candidacies. Accordingly, the Hatch Act does not prohibit a federal employee from doing so, even while on duty or in the federal workplace...."
Source: www.osc.gov -
PDF Document: http://www.osc.gov/documents/hatchact/federal/Hatchact08.pdf
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Find Federal Employment
Title: USAJOBS.GOV
Snippet from Article: "...USAJOBS can search for that perfect job for you! Simply create a “My USAJOBS” account and set up a job search agent. You pick your criteria and USAJOBS will email the results directly to you as often as you like. Now you will be able to find out about that new vacancy right away and you will never have to rush to apply again!..."
Source: www.usajobs.gov
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Time Off for Voting
Article Title: Giving Employees Time Off for Voting and Jury Duty
Snippet from Article: "...The laws of almost every state require employers to give employees time off to cast a ballot or show up for jury duty. These laws vary widely in the details, however -- some require employers to provide paid leave, while others do not..."
Source: www.hrtools.com
An example of a State requiring employers to give employees time off for voting is Alabama. The law reads as follows:
Section 17-1-5
Employers to allow time off for voting.
Each employee in the state shall, upon reasonable notice to his or her employer, be permitted by his or her employer to take necessary time off from his or her employment to vote in any municipal, county, state, or federal political party primary or election for which the employee is qualified and registered to vote on the day on which the primary or election is held. The necessary time off shall not exceed one hour and if the hours of work of the employee commence at least two hours after the opening of the polls or end at least one hour prior to the closing of the polls, then the time off for voting as provided in this section shall not be available. The employer may specify the hours during which the employee may absent himself or herself as provided in this section.
(Act 2006-545, p. 1263, §1; §17-1-9.)