Drew Friedman

1 week ago | federalnewsnetwork.com | Drew Friedman

The Merit Systems Protection Board is once again in familiar territory as it deals with a loss of quorum on its three-member board, which has created some limitations in the work the agency is currently able to process. MSPB is generally responsible for adjudicating appeals on federal personnel cases, aiming to protect federal employees against prohibited personnel practices such as whistleblower retaliation. But without a board quorum, some specific actions at MSPB cannot be finalized.

1 week ago | federalnewsnetwork.com | Drew Friedman

Probationary employees who allege their terminations from the Department of Homeland Security earlier this year were unlawful can now pursue their appeal as a class action at the Merit Systems Protection Board. After MSPB issued a class certification decision Friday, DHS probationary employees who were fired now have coverage through the class appeal, rather than needing to file individual cases at MSPB as they seek reinstatement in their jobs.

1 week ago | federalnewsnetwork.com | Drew Friedman

The proposed cuts to federal benefits that House lawmakers teed up as part of the GOP budget reconciliation bill are top of mind for many employees — but that’s not the only legislation on the table that may bring changes federal employees. In the last couple weeks, both Democrats and Republicans have introduced plenty of other legislation attempting to make changes to the federal workforce and federal benefits. Here are five additional bills federal employees can track over the coming months.

2 weeks ago | federalnewsnetwork.com | Drew Friedman

The Department of Health and Human Services is gradually reinstating some of the staff laid off last month, but the partial reinstatements are still causing uncertainty among HHS employees. About 10,000 HHS employees were removed in a reduction in force (RIF) on April 1. Another 10,000 employees voluntarily left the agency through the deferred resignation program, early retirement offers or incentive payments worth up to $25,000.

2 weeks ago | federalnewsnetwork.com | Drew Friedman

House lawmakers narrowly passed the GOP’s budget reconciliation bill early Thursday morning in a vote of 215-214, after making one last revision to a series of proposals cutting federal benefits and civil service protections. Four of the six provisions on federal benefits cuts that originated from Republicans on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee remain in the House-passed version of the bill, which now heads to the Senate for consideration.