Saturday, May 9, 2020

Microsoft slams Amazon’s latest protest over Pentagon cloud contract as ‘a way to avoid the consequences of its own bad business decisions’

Microsoft slams Amazon’s latest protest over Pentagon cloud contract as ‘a way to avoid the consequences of its own bad business decisions’

Snippet of Article: "...Amazon is once again challenging the Department of Defense’s decision to award a $10 billion cloud contract to Microsoft. Amazon filed a protest of the award directly with the DoD after a federal judge temporarily paused litigation on a lawsuit filed last year..."

Source: www.msn.com

What Feds Can Do if Called Back to an Unsafe Workplace

What Feds Can Do if Called Back to an Unsafe Workplace

Snippet of Article: "...a fearful worker could conceivably seek to continue their existing posture of full-time telework. “The reality for federal employees is that the government has discretion to determine whether or not to allow telework, but they cannot use that discretion in an inequitable manner,” Friedman said. “So the first thing that feds should focus on is if they’ve been allowed to telework up until now, and they’re suddenly told that’s going to be taken away, they should ensure that’s a policy issued to all employees and not just targeted toward some. If it is targeted, perhaps there’s a potential [Equal Employment Opportunity Commission] issue or a prohibited practice issue.”..."

Source: www.govexec.com

telework, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Unsafe Workplace, Coronavirus, COVID-19,

Lexington federal prison with more than 90 COVID-19 cases agrees to test employees

Lexington federal prison with more than 90 COVID-19 cases agrees to test employees

Snippet of Article: "...local elected officials pressured the facility to release more information about its COVID-19 outbreak. After more than a week of providing little cooperation or information, officials at the Federal Medical Center on Leestown Road said they will test all employees at the prison. So far, only inmates showing symptoms of the disease have been tested, leaving employees to seek testing on their own..."

Source: www.kentucky.com

Testing vs Non-Testing for COVID-19, COVID-19, Coronavirus, Lexington federal prison,

U.S. Watchdog Agency Says Coronavirus Whistleblower Should Be Reinstated

U.S. Watchdog Agency Says Coronavirus Whistleblower Should Be Reinstated

Snippet of Article: "...U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) made a "threshold determination" that the Trump administration unlawfully sidelined disease expert Rick Bright because he "made protected disclosures in the best interest of the American public," Bright's lawyers said in the statement. OSC's recommendation is not binding on the administration..."

Source: www.nytimes.com

protected disclosures, 'in the best interest of the American public', Rick Bright, Whistleblower Protections,

Thursday, May 7, 2020

Congress and the Supreme Court need a federal records act

Congress and the Supreme Court need a federal records act

Snippet of Article: "...All of Congress is also specifically exempt from the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act — meaning no citizen can file a request to see congressional papers, whereas federal agencies must share theirs. Supreme Court justices never run for office, but the justices’ papers are even more protected than those of U.S. senators..."

Source: thehill.com

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Postal Service revises Criteria for Return to Work for Employees with Confirmed case of COVID-19

Postal Service revises Criteria for Return to Work for Employees with Confirmed case of COVID-19

Snippet of Article: "...For your information, per the CDC, options for decisions about return-to-work for individuals with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 include a test-based strategy or a non-test based strategy. The USPS is currently applying the non-test based strategy in the majority of cases...READ POLICY HERE (PDF Document)"

Source: USPS via NPMHU

Postal Service revises Criteria for Return to Work for Employees with Confirmed case of COVID-19,

Saturday, April 25, 2020

White House details how agencies should call back federal employees, resume ‘normal’ operations

White House details how agencies should call back federal employees, resume ‘normal’ operations

Snippet of Article: "...Agencies have new guidelines now from the Trump administration, which detail how, consistent with local conditions, they should gradually begin to reopen federal offices and call their employees back from mandatory telework programs during the coronavirus pandemic. The guidance, which..."

Source: federalnewsnetwork.com

M-20-23MEMORANDUM FOR HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES

Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Another Alabama Postal Worker Positive for Coronavirus After Recent Death in Montgomery

Second Montgomery postal worker tests positive for coronavirus

Snippet of Article: "...Another Montgomery employee of the United States Postal Services has contracted the COVID-19 respiratory virus, according to a USPS spokesperson. The news comes days after a night shift employee at Montgomery’s main processing center died of the illness. The latest case was confirmed in an employee at the Shakespeare Post Office located on Eastern Boulevard. USPS Spokesperson for the Alabama District Debra J. Fetterly says the employee is classified as a retail associate..."

Source: www.wsfa.com

Coronavirus, Clerk (Retail), COVID-19, Postal Service, Most dangerous jobs,

Postal Service 'Mail Handler' death attributed to complications from the coronavirus

Postal Service 'Mail Handler' death attributed to complications from the coronavirus

Snippet of Article: "...with regret and sorrow that the National Union announces the passing of Seattle P&DC Mail Handler Querubin “Sonny” Quitlong. His death is attributed to complications from the coronavirus..."

Source: National Postal Mail Handlers Union

Mail Handler deaths (Coronavirus), Coronavirus, Most dangerous jobs, COVID-19, P&DC Mail Handler, Querubin “Sonny” Quitlong, Seattle P&DC,

Alabama postal worker dies after COVID-19 illness

Montgomery postal worker dies after COVID-19 illness

Snippet of Article: "...A Montgomery postal service worker has died from COVID-19, United States Postal Service officials confirmed Monday. The employee worked night shifts handling letters, cards and packages at the processing and distribution center on Winton Blount Boulevard, according to Debra J. Fetterly, the USPS spokesperson for the Alabama District..."

Source: www.wsfa.com

Montgomery Processing & Distribution Center (P&DC), Coronavirus, Mail Handler deaths (Coronavirus), COVID-19, Death,

Bronx postal service letter carrier passes away from coronavirus

Bronx letter carrier passes away from coronavirus

Snippet of Article: "... 50-year-old letter carrier Rakkhon Kim, a member of Branch 36 in New York City, passed away Wednesday, March 25, from complications related to COVID-19..."

Source: www.nalc.org

Coronavirus, COVID-19, Most dangerous jobs, Postal Service, Death, Rakkhon Kim, NALC,

State Department leaked cables renew theories on origin of coronavirus

State Department leaked cables renew theories on origin of coronavirus

Snippet of Article: "...US sounded alarm on Wuhan lab studying coronavirus two years ago, report says State Department cables obtained by The Washington Post warned about the safety and security of coronavirus testing on bats in China in 2018; Gillian Turner reports...Despite evidence that points to dangerous practices inside the Wuhan labs, top U.S. military brass, as well as other senior officials, have told Fox News that the origins of COVID-19 did not come from a laboratory nor was it the result of a bioweapon. "And if I could just be clear, there is nothing to that," Air Force Brig. Gen. Paul Friedrichs told Fox News last week..."

Source: www.foxnews.com

State Department, Coronavirus, China, Wuhan lab,

11 Baltimore area USPS employees test positive for COVID-19

11 Baltimore area USPS employees test positive for COVID-19

Snippet of Article: "...The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases among Baltimore area postal employees is up to 11, according to the Baltimore District spokeswoman..."

Source: yahoo.com

Coronavirus, COVID-19, Most dangerous jobs, Postal Service,

Winter Park Florida Post Office workers test positive for coronavirus: report

Winter Park Post Office workers test positive for coronavirus: report

Snippet of Article: "...Two U.S. Postal Service employees from Winter Park tested positive for COVID-19 Monday..."

Source: www.orlandosentinel.com

Coronavirus, COVID-19, Most dangerous jobs, Postal Service,

Monday, April 13, 2020

Postal Service fights for its life financially, 2,000 of its workers are in quarantine and dozens have tested positive for the coronavirus

Postal Service fights for its life financially, 2,000 of its workers are in quarantine and dozens have tested positive for the coronavirus

Snippet of Article: "...51 USPS employees had tested positive for COVID-19 as of Wednesday. On top of that, nearly 2,000 were in quarantine. "As the number of confirmed positive coronavirus cases have increased throughout the general public, so too have been the number of postal employees who have tested positive..."

Source: www.businessinsider.com

Most dangerous jobs, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Postal Service,

Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Federal Workers, Union Sue for Hazard Pay

Federal Workers, Union Sue for Hazard Pay

Snippet of Article: "...Federal law requires agencies to provide a 25% increase in pay for duty involving “unusual physical hardship or hazard.” OPM regulations specifically list exposure to viruses as a condition that would make federal workers eligible for hazard pay. “The schedule of hazardous duty pay differentials set forth in [OPM’s regulations] provides that agencies shall pay a 25% hazard pay differential..."

Source: www.govexec.com

hazardous duty pay differentials, Coronavirus,

Saturday, March 28, 2020

The check from yourself (taxpayers) will soon be in the mail

The check from taxpayers will soon be in the mail for more than 120 million people

Snippet of Article: "...Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin has said checks of up to $1,200 per person and $500 per child will go out within three weeks of President Trump signing the legislation..."

Source: www.gopusa.com

Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Privacy Concerns: Tips for working from home and video conferencing

Privacy Concerns: Tips for working from home and video conferencing

Snippet of Article: "...employer while working from home, Some have privacy concerns simply over the lack of privacy while video conferencing. We have a few tips to relieve some of the stress over your privacy concerns:

Hang a sheet from the ceiling around your work area to block the view of items in your home
Put some clothes on! You don't want to become the next porn star of the office
Don't pick your nose! Hey, it has taken you years to..."

Source: Rocket City News

Privacy Concerns: Tips for working from home and video conferencing

Monday, March 23, 2020

CDC says coronavirus survived in Princess Cruise ship cabins for up to 17 days after passengers left

CDC says coronavirus survived in Princess Cruise ship cabins for up to 17 days after passengers left

Snippet of Article: "...The coronavirus can survive on surfaces for up to 17 days, a study published Monday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says...on a variety of surfaces in cabins of both symptomatic and asymptomatic infected passengers up to 17 days after cabins were vacated...” the researchers wrote"

Source: www.cnbc.com

Sunday, March 15, 2020

Former employee found guilty of scamming VA out of $19 million

Former employee found guilty of scamming VA out of $19 million

Snippet of Article: "...Prince’s referrals led to payments totaling about $20 million from the VA to the Prince-related home health agencies, which were run by associates including his wife, his brother-in-law, his half-sister an..."

Source: www.denverpost.com

Saturday, March 14, 2020

Department of Defense stops ALL domestic travel beginning Monday, with few exceptions

Department of Defense stops ALL domestic travel beginning Monday, with few exceptions

Snippet of Article: "...Beginning Monday, March 16, military members are required to stop all domestic travel, while family members and civilians are required to stop all government-funded domestic travel. DOD will onboard civilians in local commuting areas only, and military members are restricted to local leave only..."

Source: whnt.com

Department of Defense

Thursday, March 12, 2020

A US Customs officer is charged with smuggling nearly 40 pounds of cocaine

A US Customs officer is charged with smuggling nearly 40 pounds of cocaine

Snippet of Article: "...Ivan Van Beverhoudt was stationed in the US Virgin Islands and one of his duties was to inspect flights in order to prevent the importation of controlled substances, according to a news release from the US Attorney's Office in Atlanta..."

Source: www.cnn.com

Ivan Van Beverhoudt, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP),

Monday, March 2, 2020

Coronavirus reaches Federal Way as USPS employee tests positive

Coronavirus reaches Federal Way as USPS employee tests positive

Snippet of Article: "...A U.S. Postal Service employee at a Federal Way distribution center has tested positive for the coronavirus. A USPS spokesperson confirmed with media that the employee works at the Seattle Network Distribution Center at 34301 9th Ave. S. in Federal Way..."

Source: www.seattleweekly.com

Postal Service employee, Coronavirus, Federal Way Postal Distribution Center, Seattle Network Distribution Center (NDC),

Monday, February 24, 2020

Coronavirus Tests Europe’s Open Borders as Italy Death Toll Rises

Coronavirus Tests Concept of Open Borders as Italy Death Toll Rises

Snippet of Article: "...Italy reported a sixth death from the coronavirus Monday, as authorities imposed quarantines and other restrictions in the country’s economic heartland to fight what is now the world’s third-biggest national outbreak after China and South Korea..."

Source: www.wsj.com

Open Borders: Why it's a horrible idea, Money vs Health of Americans, Coronavirus,