Knowing When to Quit While Ahead
A federal employee won $40,000 in her discrimination complaint. She wasn’t happy with that result and went to court. She lost and was ordered to pay back the $40,000.
Current Events
Current news and events impacting the federal workforce, both current federal employees and federal retirees.
Establishing Expectations: Ten Suggestions for Supervisors and Managers
Organizations work only when the people who make them up share common values (rules) and have dependable expectations of themselves, each other and management. Here are 10 suggestions or supervisors and managers to make this a reality in your organization.
Which is Better: A 10% Reduction In Your Annuity or No COLA for 12 Years?
A casual observer might think that CSRS employees who retire on an early out and receive a 2% per year reduction for being under age 55 are worse off than are similarly situated FERS early retirees. In most cases that casual observer would be wrong. Here is why.
Update on Dueling DC Prosecutors. Who’s Got the Best Grip on the Law Book?
Which federal agency has a better understand of federal labor law: the National Labor Relations Board or the Federal Labor Relations Authority? Here is the latest development in the feud between two government agencies with expertise in the labor relations arena.
Investing for the Long Term
Some readers are checking their TSP portfolio balance and they get upset. That is understandable as all of us prefer to see our investments go up. Before taking immediate action, take a deep breath and see how your investments have done over the past several years.
How Much Comp Time Should Federal Employees Get?
Several anonymous employees of the Social Security Administration sought to get more comp time from the agency by going to court. Their argument: We should get 1.5 hours of comp time for each hour worked just as we get 1.5 hours of overtime for each hour worked. The court disagrees.
Future Retirees: Do You Know Your MRA?
If you are a federal employee and do not know your MRA (Minimum Retirement Age), you are probably in the CSRS system. There is a financial penalty for FERS retirees who leave government under the MRA +10 provision. Look before you leap!
The Best Performance Discussion Guidance I Ever Borrowed
Both supervisors and employees often dislike performance reviews. They take time, effort, paperwork and may involve conflict and confrontation. It is a task that often gets pushed aside or ignored. Here is practical advice on ways to improve a performance discussion for employees and supervisors.
TSP Funds Dip Along With the Stock Market
The value of your stock funds in the Thrift Savings Plan have gone down considerably so far in 2008. What financial decisions will you take as a result? Weigh the implications of your financial decisions whether you are still an active federal employee or if you are retired.
10 Questions Federal Employees Should Ask Presidential Candidates
What questions would you like to ask presidential candidates? Here is a list of 10 questions from one author within the federal community he would like to see the candidates address.
