Federal Managers Association

For more information, please visit: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/amendments.htm.

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WHAT’S NEW IN THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH?

CUSTOM USER ID FACILITATES TSP ACCOUNT ACCESS

Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) participants will now be able to access their accounts online through the use of a customizable user identification number, according to a statement issued by the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (FRTIB). Announced August 6, the custom identification option was created in response to difficulties the previously required 13 digit TSP account number imposed on the program’s participants.

According to the TSP Web site, the custom ID allows individuals to create an easy to remember user access profile, eliminating the hassle of retrieving the 13 digit account number before logging in each time. The new ID will become effective immediately, but access to accounts will still be granted to those who continue to use the 13 digit number. The account number, though no longer necessary for routine TSP account access, is important to keep in case of a lost or stolen user ID.

The web password necessary for participants to gain access with the use of their 13-digit account number is still required but can be changed upon completion of the new user ID. Users may also change their ID as often as they like, and those with both civilian and military accounts may use the same access username.

For more information on how to set up your new custom user identification, please visit: http://tsp.gov.

NEW RULES REGARDING REDUCTIONS IN FORCE PROCEDURES

Effective August 11, federal agencies are allowed to group employees together based on paybands or pay systems when pursuing a reduction in force (RIF) following a final regulation change issued by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Outlined in detail in the Federal Register, the new regulations seek to establish competitive areas within agencies not solely dependent on geographic location or organizational division. As many agencies experiment with new payband systems, OPM envisions the new regulations as a promising method for creating a smooth transition.

When an agency must abolish positions, the RIF regulations determine whether an employee keeps his or her present position, or whether the employee has a right to a different position. In the past, these decisions were made based on location or place in the organization. The new regulations would pit employees in the same payband against one another.

“ Because each agency-specific RIF situation is unique, OPM believes that the agency conducting the RIF has the best information to make RIF-related decisions, including the definition of what is an appropriate competitive area or competitive areas for its competing employees, and what documentation is appropriate to supplement the position descriptions of employees in pay band positions,” OPM said in its comments.

OPM initially proposed these changes in the Federal Register on April 15, 2008. The final regulations are unchanged despite comments from agencies and employee groups.

For a copy of the regulations, please visit: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/.

AGENCIES’ REPORT CARDS NOT UP TO ADMINISTRATION’S STANDARDS

In the summer of 2001, the Bush administration unveiled the President’s Management Agenda, an aggressive strategy for improving the management of the federal government. Seven years later, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) says many government agencies are failing to meet the President’s expectations. The White House’s most recent management scorecard, which details the current status and progress made by 26 government agencies in the implementation of the President’s management goals for the third quarter of fiscal year 2008, confirmed that twelve agencies received a decreasing performance rating in at least one of the five areas determining management status, while only five agencies experienced increased scores in at least one area.

The President’s Management Agenda is broken into five categories which agencies are graded on: Human Capital, Commercial Services Management, Financial Performance, E-Government, and Performance Improvement. Successfully meeting the President’s Human Capital and E-Government goals was the greatest disappointment during the third quarter, as all twelve agencies receiving a declining score regressed in one or both of these categories. No agency received a declining score in any of the other three categories.

Although the scorecard indicates many difficulties lie ahead in meeting the President’s Management Agenda, White House Deputy Director for Management Clay Johnson argues that steps are being taken to once again move in the right direction.

“Agencies continue to work toward greater effectiveness: they are doing what they said they would do, as evidenced by the high number of Green Progress scores. They have also identified their management improvement goals for 2009 and beyond, indicating where they would be proud to improve even further,” Johnson said. “Federal employees are taking to heart the official policy to spend the taxpayers’ money effectively and more effectively every year.”

For more information on the management scorecard, please visit: www.whitehouse.gov.

GSA RELEASES FY09 PER DIEM RATES

The General Services Administration (GSA) released its annual per diem rate adjustments for fiscal year 2009 (FY09) on August 8, reevaluating the expense reimbursements received by federal employees engaged in work-related travel within the continental United States. GSA determined that the standard per diem rate should remain unchanged from FY08, but authorized many substantial compensation increases for a list of cities labeled “Non-Standard Areas” by the agency. Effective October 1, the FY09 per diem adjustments reflect the increasing costs facing civil servants advancing their agencies’ agendas outside of their local headquarters.

The per diem rates provide federal employees with a lodging allowance, meal allowance, and an incidental expense allowance. GSA maintained a standard per diem rate of $109 ($70 lodging, $39 meals and incidental expenses) for FY09, on par with the previous year’s reimbursement rate. Roughly 400 locations will be included on the Non-Standard Areas (NSA) list beginning in October, with Fayetteville, North Carolina and Fredericksburg, Virginia the only additions for FY09. GSA, in conjunction with lodging industry data provider Smith Travel Research, develops the NSA list based on the Average Daily Rate, a widely accepted lodging-industry measure based on the average rate that rooms rent in a given area. Though many locations maintained the rate established the previous year, cities such as Washington, D.C., Boston, and San Francisco featured significant increases. Per diem in San Francisco will rise from $232 to $249; D.C. will feature an increase of $32, from $265 to $297.

Federal agencies may request that GSA review NSA rates during the year following the annual review if the agencies feel that the per diem rate is inadequate. The standard rate remains fixed, however, for the duration of the fiscal year.

For more information on the FY09 per diem rates, please visit GSA at: www.gsa.gov.

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GET INVOLVED AT THESE EVENTS!

ATTEND THE 2008 NATIONAL SUMMIT ON EMPLOYMENT LAW AND COMPLIANCE

FMA has partnered with the American Strategic Management Institute (ASMI) to promote this outstanding summit, September 29 - October 1, 2008, in Washington, D.C. Gain a thorough understanding of the latest federal labor and employment laws to keep your organization compliant. The summit will feature f our comprehensive tracks: Recruiting and Hiring: Learn how to comply with all the applicable legal requirements when interviewing and hiring a qualified candidate; Wage and Hours: Stay up-to-date on the latest policy changes with FMLA, FLSA and workers compensation; Employment Policies: Develop a concise employee handbook that communicates your office policies in a clear and organized manor, and; Employee Benefits: Create a comprehensive benefits package that attracts potential employees and is in full compliance with the law.

Best of all, FMA Members will receive a $200 discount off registration fees! For more information visit: www.asmiweb.com/events/w197.html.

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Long Term Care Partners, LLC , FMA Corporate Partner. Long Term Care Partners is the administrator of t he Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program. Sponsored by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, the Program is available to Federal and U.S. Postal Service employees and annuitants, active and retired members of the uniformed services, and their qualified relatives. With more than 210,000 enrollees, it is the largest employer-sponsored long term care insurance program in the country. FLTCIP policies are simple to understand and offer enrollees some distinct advantages, including comprehensive coverage, competitive and stable rates, international coverage, and administrative service standards that are the highest in the long-term care insurance industry. Policies are sold direct through a highly-trained, non-commissioned staff with no high pressure sales tactics – simply sound advice. Visit www.LTCFEDS.com or http://www.opm.gov/insure/ltc/index.asp for more information.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Association Federal Employee Program, FMA Corporate Partner: The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association represents the independent, locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans. The 40 local member companies of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association have provided millions of families with top-quality, affordable health insurance for more than 70 years. For the one in four Americans who carry Blue Cross and Blue Shield cards, the Blue Plans symbolize health security. Visit www.fepblue.org and join the best, most-recognized group of health insurance providers in the world.

GEICO, FMA Corporate Partner: GEICO was created over 60 years ago to insure Federal employees. Over the years GEICO has continuously strengthened its affiliation with the Federal workforce. Today GEICO has a special program established to support the Federal community. GEICO’s Federal program participates in the following organizations and programs: GEICO Public Service Awards, which have honored Federal workers (active and retired) who have contributed to the public good since 1980; and GEICO Federal Leave Record Cards, which for over 40 years have been provided by GEICO to Federal employees, free of charge, to help them track their annual leave. Find out how much you could save with GEICO auto insurance as an FMA member by getting a line-by-line rate quote at: www.geico.com

Shaw, Bransford, Veilleux and Roth, P.C. , (SBVR) concentrates its law practice on the representation of Federal employees, with a special emphasis on the representation of executives and managers. SBVR serves as General Counsel to the Federal Managers Association and is uniquely situated to recognize the interests and viewpoints of Federal managers. For up to two free half-hour legal consultations and reduced legal fees as an FMA member, please visit: www.shawbransford.com

The Federal Managers Association and Management Concepts have teamed up to present the Federal Managers Practicum — a targeted certificate program for Federal managers. As the official development program for FMA, the Federal Managers Practicum helps FMA members develop critical skills to meet new workplace demands and deepen their managerial capabilities. FMA’s leadership fully recognizes the need to prepare career-minded federal employees to manage the demands of the 21 st century workplace with greater competence and fully supports this unique and comprehensive certificate program. For more information, please visit: www.managementconcepts.com/fmp/fmpodp.asp

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The Washington Report is published biweekly by the Federal Managers Association.
Jessica Klement, Editor; Karl Gruss, Staff Writer

The Federal Managers Association, established in 1913, is the oldest, largest, most influential association representing the interests of the 200,000 managers, supervisors and executives serving in today’s Federal government.

1641 Prince Street ~ Alexandria VA 22314-2818 ~ (703) 683-8700 ~ FAX (703) 683-8707 ~ E-Mail Info@fedmanagers.org

Washington Report Archives