Federal Daily - June 11, 2008

Gates Names Two to Head Air Force

Defense Secretary Robert Gates on June 9 announced the names of two nominees to head the Air Force. Gates last week sacked the service’s top military and civilian leaders following an investigation into security lapses in the nation’s nuclear weapons defense system. Gates this week recommended that President Bush nominate former Air Force official Michael Donley to be the next Air Force secretary. Donley, now DoD’s director of administration and management, would replace former Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne. Gates also recommended Gen. Norton Schwartz, a 35-year veteran with a background in Air Force special operations, to serve as new Air Force chief of staff, replacing Gen. Michael Moseley. Moseley and Wynne were asked to resign last week after an internal probe determined that the Air Force was falling down on its mission to safeguard the nation’s nuclear weapons arsenal. “I am confident that Mike Donley, General Schwartz and the new Air Force leadership team have the qualifications, skill and commitment to excellence necessary to guide the Air Force through this transition and beyond,” Gates said. To see more, go to: www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=11975.

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GSA, AFGE Sign Telework Agreement

The General Services Administration (GSA) and the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) have signed a new national telework policy that promises to dramatically broaden the use of telework by eligible agency employees, GSA announced on June 9. The new GSA policy allows telework frequency that can range from one day per week to full-time telework. The policy lets employees combine telework and alternative work schedules, subject to management approval. In cases where work-at-home is not the best fit, employees also can opt for working from a telework center, GSA said in a statement. When GSA launched the telework initiative last year, the agency goal was to have 50 percent of the agency’s eligible work force teleworking at least one or more days a week by the end of 2010. It already has met its 2008 goal of having 20 percent of the agency’s eligible workforce teleworking at least one or more days a week. “Telework reduces energy use, cuts down on greenhouse gases, eases traffic and helps persuade talented individuals to build long careers in public service,” said GSA acting Administrator David Bibb. To see more, go to: www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/contentView.do?pageTypeId=8199&P=&channelId=-13259&contentType=GSA_BASIC&contentId=24568.

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OPM Issues Transition Human Resources Guide

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has issued a management guide on human resources issues and ethical conduct to ensure a smooth transition at federal agencies during the change of administrations following the 2008 presidential election. In particular, the Presidential Transition Guide to Federal Human Resources Management aims to ensure that the merit system principles that govern federal employees’ personal and professional conduct are adhered to during the changeover, and provides guidance for incoming and outgoing appointees. “Even while the Federal civil service is itself in transition, its core values and principles must endure,” said OPM Director Linda Springer in a memo accompanying the guide. “This guide provides those incoming administration and agency officials who have transition responsibilities with a detailed description of the various rules, regulations and policies that govern the establishment of transition teams.” To see more, go to:  www.chcoc.gov/Transmittals/TransmittalDetails.aspx?TransmittalID=1300.

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