Jory Heckman

2 weeks ago | federalnewsnetwork.com | Jory Heckman

The Environmental Protection Agency says the “vast majority” of its employees are now back in the office. To make sure staff keep coming back to the office, the EPA plans to scrutinize workforce metrics including employee badge swipes into federal buildings and computer logins. “Failure to report to agency worksites will result in formal discipline, up to and including removal from federal service,” EPA told employees in an email Tuesday.

2 weeks ago | federalnewsnetwork.com | Jory Heckman

The General Services Administration’s acting leader told employees in a recent all-staff meeting that “nobody” from the Department of Government Efficiency is at the agency. “There’s nobody working for DOGE here,” acting GSA Administrator Stephen Ehikian said at a March 20 town hall.

2 weeks ago | federalnewsnetwork.com | Jory Heckman

The Treasury Department, like many other agencies, is giving employees another chance to accept a “deferred resignation” offer, before taking further steps to shrink its workforce. Treasury sent an email to employees last Saturday, offering a “second and final” chance to accept the deal, which includes going on paid administrative leave through the end of the fiscal year.

2 weeks ago | federalnewsnetwork.com | Jory Heckman

The IRS is preparing for its first wave of nonvoluntary layoffs, as part of a governmentwide reduction in force (RIF). The agency is cutting 80% of staff at its Office of Civil Rights and Compliance, which the agency previously called the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. The agency shed about 5% of OCRC staffing so far this year through attrition and the Office of Personnel Management’s deferred resignation offer.

2 weeks ago | federalnewsnetwork.com | Jory Heckman

A governmentwide hiring freeze expires later this month, but the Energy Department will continue to put a hold on most hiring as part of a broader agency reorganization plan. President Donald Trump ordered a 90-day governmentwide hiring freeze on his first day in office that is scheduled to lapse on April 20. But the Energy Department is counting on a longer hiring freeze to shrink its workforce.