| ||||
| Home|About Us FMA AwardsFMA In A FlashFMA HistoryPresident's MessageFMA PartnersFMA ProductsPhoto GalleryContact FMA |Membership CenterWhy You Should Join FMAChaptersChapter LocationsMember BenefitsVirtual Recruitment KitsScholarshipsOnline ApplicationFAQ |Legislative Action CenterAction LettersWashington ReportFMA at WorkResources and LinksGrassroots ToolkitIssue BriefsLegislative TrackerFMA PrioritiesTestimonyPresident's LettersOPM Data Breach InformationLegislative FAQFMA, Sequestration, and Furloughs |News & Media|Events|Members Only | ||||
| ||||
_____________________________
READ THE CURRENT ISSUE OF THE FEDERAL MANAGER MAGAZINE!
_____________________________
_____________________________
- Celebrate PSRW! - April 30, 2021
Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW) begins Sunday, May 2! This is a week set aside to honor and promote the work you and your fellow civil servants do every day. Please explore the information provided below to learn about ways you can participate and join the celebration!
- Read More
- For 30 years, she’s risen through this agency’s ranks, always with the constituents in mind - April 15, 2021
- Interview by Tom Temin, Federal News NetworkThis year's FMA Manager of the Year was Kimberly Price, Director of Policy and Systems at the Railroad Retirement Board. Kimberly was recently interviewed by Tom Temin at Federal News Network.
- Read More
- Over 200 Groups Call for Whistleblower Reform for Public Servants - April 2, 2021
- FMA and several other federal employee organizations signed onto the letter to President Biden and congressional leaders.Courtney Buble, Government ExecutiveOver 200 groups called on President Biden and congressional leadership on Thursday to enact stronger whistleblower protection laws, especially to ensure that the government is fairly spending trillions of dollars in pandemic relief funding.
- Read More
- RRB Official Named Federal Manager of the Year - March 18, 2021
- FMA's Kimberly Price announced as Manager of the Year during 83rd National Convention.FedweekThe Federal Managers Association has named Kimberly Price, director of policy and systems at the Railroad Retirement Board and a member of FMA’s chapter there as Federal Manager of the Year.Said the announcement, “Kimberly is known for inspiring and motivating others within the RRB and for coaching, mentoring and challenging subordinates, managing the activities and setting priorities and goals for more than sixty analysts and support staff. She has been deservedly honored with many leadership awards” including the RRB’s Award for Excellence.
- Read More
- FMA APPLAUDS HOUSE VOTE ON FY20 APPROPRIATIONS - December 18, 2019
- On Tuesday, December 17, 2019, the House of Representatives approved two spending packages that would fund the federal workforce for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2020. The funding package includes a 3.1 percent average for federal employees, comprised of a 2.6 percent across-the-board salary increase and a 0.5 percent average boost to locality pay. FMA is pleased with this development, which the association worked for throughout 2019.FMA supports both the pay raise and the spending deal. We urge the Senate to approve the measures, and President Trump to sign the bills into law, prior to the expiration of the current continuing resolution.
- Read More
- FMA, OTHER MANAGER GROUPS SUPPORT PICK FOR OPM - May 26, 2017
Federal Managers Groups Largely Support Trump OPM Pick
By Erich Wagner, Government Executive
The Trump administration’s nomination of George Nesterczuk to serve as director of the Office of Personnel Management is already making waves among groups that represent federal workers.
While groups representing managers voiced varying levels of support for the announcement Wednesday, a union official was warier of the choice.
- Read More
- FMA Washington Report: May 10, 2021
- This report communicates what FMA’s professional staff is doing on behalf of FMA members in Washington, D.C., and provides an update on issues affecting federal managers. Click here to view the May 10, 2021, edition of FMA's Washington Report. In this issue, we discuss PSRW 2021, guidance from OPM on Emergency Paid Leave, results of the 2020 FEVS, and other issues. As always, we encourage you to visit www.fedmanagers.org on a regular basis for information on these and other matters.
- Read More
- FMA WEBINAR, MAY 25: COVID-19, EEO LAWS, AND ISSUES CONCERNING RETURNING TO THE WORKPLACE
- OPM MEMO: RECENT PAY AND LEAVE-RELATED LEGISLATIVE CHANGES - FEBRUARY 16, 2021
- CREATING A SAFER FEDERAL WORKFORCE: A RESPONSE TO COVID-19
- OPM GUIDANCE ON THE HIGHER ANNUAL LEAVE CARRYOVER LIMIT UNDER SECTION 1111 OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2021 NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT - JANUARY 5, 2021
- What Is Medicare IRMAA? How to Avoid an Expensive Surprise - May 12, 2021
- By Neal Thompson, FedSmithMedicare is a fantastic benefit that makes it possible for many retirees to enjoy life more fully, thanks to premiums that are far more affordable than market rates on private health insurance plans. Still, Medicare isn’t free, and there are some sneaky extra costs that can blindside you if your income rises above a certain threshold.
- Read More
- More schools will offer continuing education to federal employees at lower price - May 11, 2021
- By Nicole Ogrysko, Federal News NetworkFederal employees looking to earn an advanced or another degree at a lower price now have a few more options, the Office of Personnel Management said Friday.
- Read More
- Biden Plans an Order to Strengthen Cyberdefenses. Will It Be Enough? - May 10, 2021
- By David E. Sanger, Nicole Perlroth, and Julian E. Barnes, The New York TimesWASHINGTON — A pipeline that provides the East Coast with nearly half its gasoline and jet fuel remained shuttered on Sunday after yet another ransomware attack, prompting emergency White House meetings and new questions about whether an executive order strengthening cybersecurity for federal agencies and contractors goes far enough even as President Biden prepares to issue it.
- Read More
- Despite Progress, OPM Retirement Backlog Still at 8 Year High - May 7, 2021
- By Ian Smith, FedSmithThe Office of Personnel Management made good progress in reducing its retirement backlog of outstanding retirement claims in April, however, the outstanding total backlog is still at its highest level since 2013.
- Read More
- January pay raise, retiree COLA looking good - May 6, 2021
- By Mike Causey, Federal News NetworkWith five months left to go in the cost of living countdown, federal, military and Social Security retirees are looking at a 3% increase in benefits beginning in January. It is a politics-free call based on the ups and downs of the marketplace. This year, the COLA was 1.3%.
- Read More
- Legislation Reintroduced to Expand Whistleblower Protections for Federal Employees - May 5, 2021
- By Ian Smith, FedSmithLegislation was reintroduced in the House this week to strengthen whistleblower protections for federal employees who expose wrongdoing in the federal government.
- Read More
- Biden Thanks Federal Employees in Proclamation for Public Service Recognition Week - May 4, 2021
- By Ian Smith, FedSmithPresident Biden issued a proclamation to commemorate the beginning of Public Service Recognition Week 2021 and also to thank federal employees for their service.
- Read More
- GovExec Daily: Why Public Service Recognition Week Matters - May 3, 2021
- By Adam Butler and Ross Gianfortune, Government ExecutiveThis week marks Public Service Recognition Week, a celebration of those who serve the U.S. as federal, state, county, local and tribal government employees. Throughout the country, government officials, communities and non profit organizations will celebrity public servants and the jobs they do supporting the nation.
- Read More
- Administration Formally Launches Program Giving Feds Up to 15 Weeks Off for COVID-19 Related Illness, Child Care - April 30, 2021
- By Eric Katz, Government ExecutiveFederal agencies can now begin approving their employees' requests for special leave related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which allows workers to take up to 15 weeks off to care for themselves or others.
- Read More
- Biden Seeks IRS Spending Surge to Reverse Years of Staffing Cuts - April 29, 2021
- By Eric Katz, Government ExecutiveThe Biden administration is seeking $80 billion for the Internal Revenue Service to boost its enforcement efforts as part of an effort to crack down on tax cheats and restore staffing at an agency that has seen its resources cut or stagnate for a decade.
- Read More
- The Agencies that Saw the Biggest Gains in Employee Satisfaction in 2020, and the Few that Saw Losses - April 28, 2021
- By Erich Wagner, Government ExecutiveIn a year where the federal government posted the strongest improvement on employee engagement and job satisfaction in more than a decade on the annual Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey, it is perhaps no surprise that the vast majority of organizations saw rising scores.
- Read More
- In spite of it all, federal employee engagement rises in 2020 FEVS - April 27, 2021
- By Nicole Ogrysko, Federal News NetworkIn a year where a global pandemic completely upended operations for most agencies, the federal government saw employee engagement rise by nearly 4% in 2020 over the previous year.
- Read More
- The high-wire balancing act of returning to work - April 26, 2021
- By Nicole Ogrysko, Federal News NetworkWe’re now at the point of the pandemic where agency leaders are walking a tricky balancing act. As more feds get vaccinated, how do they bring back employees who may or may not want to return to an office — and maybe throw in enough flexibilities and incentives to keep them around if their job allows for it?
- Read More
- OPM Nominee Sails Through Confirmation Hearing, Pledging to Support Feds and Uphold Merit System - April 23, 2021
- By Erich Wagner, Government ExecutivePresident Biden’s pick to lead the federal government’s embattled human resources agency told senators Thursday that she would keep federal employees’ needs at the forefront of all of her decision-making if confirmed to become director of the Office of Personnel Management.
- Read More
- Bipartisan bill builds on momentum for greater federal R&D spending - April 22, 2021
- By Jory Heckman, Federal News NetworkA bipartisan Senate bill is building off a growing demand for the federal government to invest more heavily in emerging technology research.
- Read More
- Can Federal Employees Contribute to Both an IRA and the TSP? - April 21, 2021
- By Ian Smith, FedSmithA question that federal employees often ask is whether or not they can contribute to an IRA in addition to their TSP accounts. The short answer is yes!
- Read More
- Proposed Expansion of Paid Leave for Federal Employees - April 20, 2021
- By Ian Smith, FedSmithFederal employees would find themselves with a lot more paid leave if a bill introduced this week were to become law.
- Read More
- Fearing a post-pandemic talent exodus, agencies view telework as key retention tool - April 19, 2021
- By Nicole Ogrysko, Federal News NetworkAgency leaders and human capital managers have long said they’re unable to compete with the private sector for talent because of the federal government’s rigid pay system. Now more than a year after the pandemic forced government to expand telework in ways they hadn’t previously imagined, agencies fear remote work flexibilities will make or break their recruitment and retention strategies.
- Read More
- SBA executives ‘beyond doubt’ that teleworking employees are more productive - April 16, 2021
- By Jory Heckman, Federal News NetworkThe Small Business Administration issued 14 years’ worth of loans in 14 days under the CARES Act. Over the past year, it nearly tripled its workforce to process hundreds of billions of dollars in pandemic relief spending approved by Congress.
- Read More
- Schedule F: What Does Its Repeal Mean for Federal Employees’ Due Process Rights? - April 15, 2021
- By Mathew B. Tully, Esq., FedSmithPresident Joe Biden’s recent Executive Order (EO) on Protecting the Federal Workforce reverses the limitations on employee due process implemented during the prior administration, particularly as regarded to the creation of a Schedule F—which undid nearly all employment protections for employees at the high end of the scale.
- Read More
- Understanding the Difference Between Postponed and Deferred FERS Retirement - April 14, 2021
- By Neal Thompson, FedSmithWhile heading to the office each day may feel pretty much the same no matter where you work, there are some big differences in the working lives of federal employees. One of the major things that set careers in public service apart is the retirement system. The Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS) is a major benefit for civilian workers in the federal government, but its rules are complex. If you don’t fully understand them, you could make a costly mistake that keeps you from maximizing your pension during retirement.
- Read More
- OPM Finalizes Rule Ensuring Feds Can Change Insurance During Shutdowns - April 2, 2021
- During the 35-day government shutdown, some workers were unable to make changes to their health benefits because the employees responsible for processing those changes were furloughed.Erich Wagner, Government ExecutiveThe Office of Personnel Management moved Thursday to finalize new regulations that will ensure federal workers can make changes to their insurance enrollment following major life events in the midst of a government shutdown.
- Read More
- OPM Modernization is Critical to Building the Federal Workforce the Nation Needs - March 18, 2021
- Rigid and outdated hiring, pay and performance policies and practices are hurting government’s capacity to respond to urgent problems.Terry Gerton & Janet Hale, Government ExecutiveEvery level of government is grappling with unprecedented challenges that are increasingly complex and interconnected. The urgent need for leaders, managers, technical experts and front-line workers in the right jobs, with the right skills, and at the right time has never been greater. Our human capital is one of the nation’s most important assets and a foundational element for effective governance.
- Read More
- Railroad Retirement Board taps Bitzer as HR director - February 23, 2021
- We are proud of FMA's own Nancy Bitzer at the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board, who is featured in this article covering her appointment as director of human resources. We are excited to hear from Ms. Bitzer at our virtual national convention in March.Progressive RailroadingThe U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) has appointed Nancy Bitzer director of human resources.Bitzer most recently served as the RRB's chief of human services/labor relations, a position she held since since September 2013, RRB officials said in a press release.
- Read More
- OPM Proposes Prioritizing Job Performance Over Tenure in Layoffs - December 18, 2020
- By Erich Wagner, Government ExecutiveThe Office of Personnel Management on Thursday proposed regulations that would prioritize employees’ recent performance over their length of service when agencies decide who to lay off during reductions in force.
- Read More
- BOTH STAFF CUTS AND BUDGET INCREASES FOR FY 2019 - July 13, 2017
Staff Cuts and Budget Increases Are Both on Tap for 2019
By Eric Katz, Government Executive
The Trump administration has provided federal agencies with the latitude to request up to a 5 percent funding boost in fiscal 2019, saying the White House may accommodate a “limited number” of programmatic increases in its final blueprint.
Generally, Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney said in a memorandum to department and agency heads, agencies should keep their 2019 spending requests in line with what the White House spelled out in the fiscal 2018 budget submission. They should also, however, “identify additional investments in effective programs that further support their mission and fill a clear federal role.”
- Read More
- Agencies Could Rehire, Promote Former Employees With New OPM Regulatory Fix - December 24, 2019
- By Nicole Ogrysko, Federal News NetworkThe Office of Personnel Management wants to help agencies rehire former employees who have left government — and offer a non-competitive promotion to a higher grade level to sweeten the deal.In a proposed rule, which is scheduled for publication later this week, OPM will recommend new regulations that will allow agencies to non-competitively reappoint former employees to other positions at a higher grade level than when they left government.
- Read More
- How The Government Wants Agencies To Regulate AI - January 14, 2020
- By Andrew Eversden, Federal TimesThe Office of Management and Budget released a draft memorandum Jan. 13 providing guidance to agencies on how they should approach regulation of industry’s artificial intelligence applications.The guidance emphasizes that agencies should consider how any regulatory action would potentially hinder expansion of AI use. The draft memo “calls on agencies, when considering regulations or policies related to AI applications, to promote advancements in technology and innovation."
- Read More
- FMA PRESIDENT THANKS FEDS AND ALL PUBLIC SERVANTS - April 30, 2021
- Urges all Americans to show their appreciation during Public Service Recognition WeekAlexandria, VA - As public servants are recognized for their contributions to our nation during Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW), Federal Managers Association (FMA) President Craig Carter praised the work of FMA members, offering encouragement and gratitude to federal employees, and all public servants. PSRW runs May 2-8, 2021, with celebrations planned across the country.
- Read More
- KIMBERLY PRICE NAMED 2020 FMA MANAGER OF THE YEAR - March 15, 2021
- Recognized by her peers, Ms. Price provides exceptional leadership at the U.S. Railroad Retirement BoardAlexandria, VA - The Federal Managers Association (FMA) is proud to announce Ms. Kimberly Price as the winner of FMA's Manager of the Year award for 2020. She is the Director of Policy and Systems at the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) and has been a member of FMA since 2009.
- Read More
- FMA SUPPORTS NOMINATION OF KIRAN AHUJA FOR OPM DIRECTOR - February 23, 2021
- Alexandria, VA – President Biden announced Kiran Ahuja as his nominee for Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) today. The Federal Managers Association (FMA) supports and endorses Ahuja for this nomination. FMA National President Craig Carter made the following comments on the announcement:"FMA is pleased with Kiran Ahuja’s nomination as Director, and believe she is an exceptional choice to lead OPM. Her previous experience and service – including several years as chief of staff at OPM – ensure she has the background and qualifications to effectively lead this agency at this critical time.
- Read More
- FMA APPLAUDS SENATE INTRODUCTION OF FEDERAL LABOR-MANAGEMENT COVID PARTNERSHIP ACT - July 31, 2020
- Federal Managers Association honored to be recommended to advise task force.Alexandria, VA – On Tuesday, July 28, the Federal Labor-Management Covid Partnership Act (S. 4347) was introduced in the Senate to create a task force of administration leaders, managers, and union officials, with FMA representing workforce managers. The task force would review agencies’ policies related to the Covid-19 pandemic and make recommendations. As lead sponsor Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) noted, “This bill is about protecting our federal workers during the Covid pandemic.”
- Read More
- Celebrating FMA Manager of the Year Kimberly Price - April 7, 2021
- This article originally ran in the April 6, 2022 issue of FEDManager.comThe Federal Managers Association has recognized Kimberly Price, President of FMA Chapter 191, Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), as FMA’s Manager of the Year – an award that she richly deserves. Kimberly has been an employee of the RRB since June 1990. Kimberly has spent at least two-thirds of her career in some form of leadership or management, rising through the ranks to her current position as Director of Policy and Systems, a position she has held since May 2015. Kimberly is both the first woman and the first African American to ever hold this executive level position.
- Read More
- Why We Need to Focus on Pay Equity in Government - February 23, 2021
- By Howard Risher, Government ExecutiveA recent headline on an HR website alerted private employers to renewed commitment to dealing with a long recognized problem in the United States: “Biden admin likely to act on pay equity, systemic bias, says former EEOC official.” That is consistent with the new administration’s public policy goals and with statements President Biden has made in the past. In a 2018 speech at Brookings, Biden focused on “the hollowing of the middle, income inequality and lack of opportunity.”
- Read More
- Preserving Competence in the Civil Service - February 3, 2021
- Once a month the Federal Managers Association writes a Hear It from FMA article for the FEDmanager.com newsletter. This article originally ran in the February 2, 2021 issue.If one wanted to cripple the leadership and efficiency of the civil service, it would be difficult to design a more efficient way to do it than the creation of Schedule F. Not only would the result of Schedule F have been a routine, mass firing every four to eight years of the upper echelons of the bureaucracy that enables the government to function, but it also would have created an incredible incentive for competent feds who would make excellent leaders to do everything in their power to avoid promotion to the level where their talents could be best used.
- Read More
- Advocating for Feds to Keep Their Earned Leave - September 28, 2020
- This article originally ran in the September 1, 2020 issue of FEDManager.com.Much of what we do here at the Federal Managers Association comes down to trying to get a square deal for feds. We recognize that federal managers do critical work on behalf of the country, and that without them and the work they do, the country would not function as well as it does. From disaster response to building transportation infrastructure to protecting our national security, feds do the hard work of keeping our country safe, prosperous, and strong.
- Read More
- A Fair Pay Raise for Feds in 2021 - August 5, 2020
- This article originally ran in the August 4, 2020 issue of FEDManager.com.One of FMA’s primary objectives each year is to provide a fair pay raise for federal employees that reflects their selfless contributions to their fellow Americans. In February, before the disruptions of Covid-19 set in, President Trump proposed a 1 percent pay raise for federal employees in 2021. While better than a pay freeze, a 1 percent raise fails to keep up with inflation and is inadequate. Regrettably, Congress has thus far chosen to remain silent on the pay raise issue in the appropriations process, effectively acceding to the president’s proposal. Most recently, on Thursday, July 30, the House of Representatives approved a major spending package without language to provide a reasonable pay raise for federal employees in 2021.
- Read More
- Infrastructure Investments and Modernization Needed at Federal Installations - February 5, 2020
- Hear It from FMA, FedManager.comOn Wednesday, January 29, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and other top legislators in the House unveiled a $760 billion infrastructure package. They appealed to President Trump, who campaigned on a $1 trillion infrastructure plan, to join them in moving this funding forward. As recently as May 2019, the President was expected to propose a $2 trillion infrastructure package, but he urged Congress to first pass the United States-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) trade deal. He signed that deal into place on January 29, the same day House Democrats offered their infrastructure proposal.
- Read More
- Viewpoint: Let’s Keep a Level Playing Field for TSP Investors - November 25, 2019
- Participants in the federal employee retirement savings program deserve the same investment options as other Americans.The Federal Managers Association sits on the Employee Thrift Advisory Council (ETAC) which advises the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (FRTIB). Clifford Dailing is Chair of ETAC, and Michael Kennedy is Chair of FRTIB.By Michael Kennedy and Clifford Dailing, Government ExecutiveWhen President Ronald Reagan signed the Federal Employees’ Retirement System Act in 1986 flanked by a bipartisan, bicameral group of lawmakers, the intent was clear: to provide federal employees a defined contribution retirement plan like private employers’ 401(k) plans. The Thrift Savings Plan has grown to hold the retirement savings of more than 5.5 million participants from federal and military service, with total assets of $600 billion.
- Read More
- FMA’s Take On The Agency Reorganization Proposals - July 3, 2018
- The Federal Managers Association, FEDmanager.comIt has been two weeks (as of writing) since the administration formally unveiled its long-awaited agency reorganization plan, called “Delivering Government Solutions in the 21st Century.” We at FMA have heard from many of our members and continue to analyze the merits for reform.
- Read More
