All articles tagged with #federal employees
The Kennedy Center began layoffs across multiple departments in advance of President Trump’s plan to shutter the institution for two years, with double-digit cuts and changes at the top tied to Grenell-era appointments; more reductions are expected before the July closure.
Former ambassador Rahm Emanuel urges a new federal-ethics rule banning federal employees from participating in prediction markets, arguing the practice risks conflicts of interest and erodes public trust; he frames the move as part of ongoing ethics reforms for government oversight.
As the DHS shutdown nears its second month, roughly 90% of more than 260,000 employees are working without full pay, having received only partial wages earlier; most are in an “excepted” status and will be paid after funding resumes, while some components (like CBP and ICE) are still paid with discretionary funds. The unpaid period is straining employees’ finances and contributing to longer security wait times at airports, as lawmakers remain deadlocked on a funding agreement. Back pay is expected once funding returns, but not any additional compensation for late bills, prompting calls for legislation to guarantee pay during future lapses.
Robert Echeverria, a Salt Lake City TSA officer and father of three, quit after nine years rather than face another unpaid week as the partial government shutdown drags on; he’s among more than 300 TSA workers who have left since the shutdown began, with food pantries at airports, longer security lines, and growing concerns about staffing and security.
A Ninth Circuit panel vacated a lower-court injunction blocking the Trump administration from ending collective bargaining rights for federal employees at more than 20 agencies, allowing agencies to proceed under updated OPM guidance. The ruling is narrow and does not resolve whether the orders were lawful, and AFGE says it may seek en banc review while pursuing the merits in district court. The administration has expanded exemptions from collective bargaining via executive orders, and litigation over their legality continues.
Joseph Tirrell, a top ethics official at the DOJ, was unexpectedly fired after training Pam Bondi on ethics rules, amid broader concerns about politically motivated dismissals of federal employees, raising fears about the politicization of the department.
The Trump administration's OPM proposes stricter rules for probationary federal employees, limiting their ability to appeal dismissals and shifting adjudication to OPM's own office, aiming to streamline processes and increase accountability amid broader probation reforms.
The Office of Personnel Management proposes to overhaul the Senior Executive Service candidate development programs by standardizing content, shortening timelines to 9-12 months, increasing training hours, and adding mentorship and developmental assignments to better prepare federal employees for senior leadership roles, aiming to create a more consistent and effective leadership pipeline across government agencies.
The article provides essential guidance for federal employees approaching retirement, covering key decisions such as final separation, withdrawal of retirement applications, returning to federal employment, managing leave, choosing survivor benefits, handling military service credit, and maintaining health and life insurance, to ensure a smooth transition and optimal benefits.
A federal judge in San Francisco has ordered the reversal of hundreds of layoffs of federal employees that were finalized during the recent government shutdown, citing violations of a stopgap spending bill that prohibited such layoffs until January 30, 2026. The ruling impacts about 680 employees across several agencies and emphasizes the legal obligation to halt these reductions, with ongoing debates about the administration's interpretation of the law.
The US government shutdown has ended, leading to the return of furloughed federal employees who will receive back pay, and the rescinding of layoffs, with agencies preparing for a backlog of work and ongoing funding until January 30, 2026.
A bipartisan Senate agreement has taken the first step to reopen the U.S. government by funding it through January 30, including provisions for federal employee backpay and protections, though the legislation still needs House approval. The deal faces opposition from some Democrats over healthcare issues, highlighting ongoing political divisions.
A U.S. federal judge ruled that the Department of Education violated employees' free speech rights by altering their out-of-office emails to blame Democratic Senators for the government shutdown, ordering the removal of such partisan messages.
A federal judge ruled that the Department of Education violated the First Amendment rights of employees by editing their out-of-office emails to blame Democrats for the government shutdown, permanently barring such partisan modifications.
The U.S. government shutdown is costing the economy approximately $7 billion per month, with potential total losses reaching up to $14 billion if it lasts eight weeks, according to the Congressional Budget Office, which also notes negative macroeconomic effects and unpaid federal workers.