Mike Causey's Federal Report is the best way to stay up to date on the latest issues affecting federal pay, benefits, and retirement. Plus, Mike's funny. New Federal Report columns can be found each weekday morning right here on FederalNewsRadio.com. Bookmark Mike's homepage or have his columns delivered directly to your email.

When the S (sequestration) hits the fan?

Is your work world about to change dramatically, or end? If Congress doesn't act quickly the S could literally hit the fan, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.

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Where there's smoke, there's more smoke

In most federal offices, the practice of on-the-job-smoking has gone with the wind, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says. But for some feds, isolated pockets for smokers outside the building need to be pushed even further downwind.

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Really dirty stuff - for women only...

If you are a man, a male, a guy, a G-man - stop right here, we beg you. What follows is pretty dirty stuff and it's for women only. Check with us tomorrow, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.

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Pay raise, maybe. Pay cut, probably!

How can you get a pay raise and take a pay cut at the same time? Thanks to an election-year perfect storm, federal workers may be about to find out, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.

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Feds In Heat Miss Good Old Days

Back in the day, before political correctness reared its sometimes ugly head, feds who were hot under the collar has a way out. An escape hatch. This was a time before most government buildings had central air conditioning, and windows that actually opened. Federal News Radio senior correspondent Mike Causey reminisces on the good old days.

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Will you wind up a 2 percenter?

When the power company announces that 98 percent of its customers have had their electricity restored it means that 2 percent are still in the dark. Thanks to an upsurge in retirements some federal retirees are experiencing a long wait in getting full benefits, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.

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It's not just a phase

Does following news about the federal establishment make you depressed. Does talk about extended pay freezes and reduced retirement benefits make you nervous in the civil service? So what's preventing you from chucking it all and retiring? Do you love your job regardless or worry that you'd have nothing to do in retirement? There may be another way out, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.

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The future you in the mirror

What do you see when you look in the mirror? Is it a dedicated IRS auditor, a serious federal agent or a compassionate VA employee? Or, do you have a Charles Dickens moment and spot the ghost of Christmas Future — you after you have retired? While feds have mostly held on to their jobs, things could change quickly, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.

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Nostradamus rides again!

Senior Correspondent Mike Causey has often exhibited psychic powers. Now we have proof. Read about his latest prediction and the price he paid for it.

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Back to work: A lean, mean writing machine!

Editors Note: Senior Correspondent Mike Causey wrote today's back-from-vacation column more than a week before he actually went on vacation. But we'll run it in confidence that he made all the improvements he had planned and returns a slimmer, smarter fighting machine.

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Friends-of-feds hard to come by

When you were little, you may have had an invisible friend, maybe a pet, a pretend brother or sister who loved you unconditionally or a superhero who defended you against bullies and monsters. Now that you are a grown-up federal worker you've graduated to new friends: invisible politicians.

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Feds with phobias

If you ask the typical federal/postal worker what his or her greatest job-related fear was, many would answer they are afraid Congress will change their retirement rules and base their benefits on their highest five-year average salary. Yet the likelihood of losing the current high-three system is small compared to other, more real threats, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.

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July 4 breather

Are you enjoying your day off? So is Senior Correspondent Mike Causey.

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The good old days weren't always so good

Senior Correspondent Mike Causey turns the column over to reader Doc frrom the Energy Department, for today's guest columnist. He's been in the private sector too, and worked overseas for Uncle Sam. And he says the good old days sometimes weren't all that good.

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Fortunate feds: Job stability, retirement and health benefits

Senior Correspondent Mike Causey once again turns over to longtime reader, Dennis S., who spent a long time with Uncle Sam and a lot of time in the private sector. He says both the government and the private sector have their upsides and downsides. But he thinks its important to appreciate what you've got and live in the moment.

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Long, hot summer for feds

Democrats control the White House and the Senate, while Republicans call the shots in the House. So what impact has divided government had on federal workers? Some people think things could be a whole lot worse if one party ran all three operations at the same time, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.

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Have you lost it yet?

Today's guest column is from Tony, an IRS employee in San Diego. He says he's loved his time with Uncle Sam, but because Congress is on the warpath against feds he can't wait to retire ... Sound familiar?

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Way, way, way off the Beltway

Although its hard for some D.C. folks to believe, there is life "Beyond The Beltway." Sounds like a pretty good life at that. Check out this first hand report from revenue agent Linda Heeney in far off Montana.

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Is a government job real work?

Is having a government job the same as real work on the outside? Some folks think Uncle Sam is a soft touch, so we checked with a fed who's also spent time in the private sector. He says working outside the government is very much like working inside. Check out his report...

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What makes feds tick?

Did you ever wonder what makes feds tick? You may have yourself figured out, but what about your coworkers and feds in other agencies? Starting today we may get some real insights, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.

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