Search Tags:  Federal Report

Just how essential are you, really...

Back in the day, there were two classes of federal worker. Either you were essential or you were nonessential. Most were nonessential. Thanks to political correctness, the term of art now is emergency or nonemergency, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says. So what impact does that have when furloughs come a knocking?

Tags: Mike Causey , sequestration , furloughs

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Watch out: Well-meaning, VIP zombies are stalking feds

Federal workers have dodged a lot of legislative bullets over the years. Plans to cut and save surface, then disappear. But there is one blueprint out there that has traction, and its No. 1 target is the federal retirement system, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.

Tags: Mike Causey , pay and benefits , workforce , Simpson-Bowles

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Furloughs: A soft landing for some?

Sequestration came in like a lion ... While there have been some furloughs, politicians on both sides of the aisle have learned that furloughing air traffic controllers, meat inspectors and FBI agents is not popular, even with fed bashers, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says. So, is sequestration heading for a soft landing?

Tags: Mike Causey , sequestration , furloughs

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Your health plan: BFF, WDW, WOOT or WTF?

Senior Correspondent Mike Causey wants to know: If you wanted to text your BFF about the future of the FEHBP (your health plan) would you describe it as WOOT or WTF?

Tags: Mike Causey , pay and benefits , FEHBP , Affordable Care Act

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Very expensive IRS furlough invites

Furloughs are supposed to save money. But if you wait until the last-minute to notify workers it can be quite costly as the Internal Revenue Service has found out, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey reports.

Tags: Mike Causey , workforce , sequestration , furloughs , IRS

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Sequestration: The ultimate organic snowman?

When politicians created the sequestration monster, it may have seemed like a good idea at the time. But now that it's here, nobody wants to take credit for it, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says. And politicians who insisted that the cuts be across-the-board are now demanding agencies exempt certain programs and people from furloughs.

Tags: Congress , sequestration , furloughs , Mike Causey ,

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Furloughs slam contractors

If you are a federal worker, you are certainly aware of the Washington-based series, Sequestration: The Soap Opera. Normally such a drama would have little audience outside the Washington Beltway, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says. But it is being noticed in other places because so many contractors are being hit by furloughs too.

Tags: Mike Causey , workforce , sequestration , furloughs , contractors

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IRS furloughs costing U.S. a bundle

If somebody said they could save you nearly $1,800 but that it would cost you $61,000, you probably wouldn't take the deal, right? Unfortunately, the White House and Congress have signed off on it in the form of furloughs, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.

Tags: Mike Causey , workforce , sequestration , furloughs , IRS , NTEU , Colleen Kelley

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So, what's next for feds?

Federal workers have figured out that this is not a drill. But for many feds, it is getting hard to keep track of what is happening, which threats are real and who their political adversaries are, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says. So, what's next?

Tags: Mike Causey , workforce , pay and benefits , sequestration

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Menu for retirees: Steak, to hamburger, to Alpo

Senior Correspondent Mike Causey wants to know: Would the new plan to revise future cost-of-living adjustments put federal and Social Security retirees on a more realistic (and healthy) steak-to-beans diet? Or would each non-raise get a little worse?

Tags: Mike Causey , pay and benefits , workforce , retirement , chained CPI

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