Human Resources

First: How to Train People to Communicate Well, Not How to Act

When training acting takes the place of empathy and more. Saying something important or serious the politically correct way isn’t always best. Acting is about truth, honor, trust and integrity. What it is not about is “faking it” or “pretending;” that does no one any good. From an actor’s perspective, doing those things rarely endRead… Read more »

Strengthening Employee Health and Productivity through Workplace Griefbusting: Transforming Workplace Ghost Carriers into Grief Warriors

Once again I’m reminded of how lingering grief sits heavy on many people’s minds and bodies, hearts and souls; and yet this hulking ghost is often barely recognized in a “TNT” – “Time, Numbers, & Technology” – driven and distracted world. Actually, this psychic specter has the potential to both trigger volatility and be emotionallyRead… Read more »

Daily Dose: Federal Workers Union Questions the GOP

An article in the Washington Post shared an ad that is scheduled to air this weekend by the American Federation of Government Employees, targeting the GOP’s recent legislation on federal pay and benefits. The 30-second ad is part of a modest advertising campaign that begins Sunday on TV stations in the Washington area and willRead… Read more »

All Sources Opening for Employee Relations Jobs at State Department

My announcement for two GS-11/12/13 Employee Relations Specialists closes Monday, February 13. The positions are in the Bureau of Administration and based in Rosslyn, Virginia. We’re recruiting among status candidates AND all sources. Please apply if you are experienced in employee relations/labor relations and/or administering telework, workers’ comp, and/or leave programs.

Hostile Work Environment or Tangible Employment Action?

In the most recent edition of the FELTG newsletter, William Wiley and Ernest Hadley provide a scintillating exchange of articles surrounding a recent EEOC decision regarding a retroactive promotion – Hadley v. Secretary of Health and Human Services, NIH, EEOC Appeal No. 0120113029 (December 6, 2011).[Note: the Hadleys are not related.] This issue centers aroundRead… Read more »

Thoughts About and Analysis of the 2011 Public Service Employee Survey

Last week the Treasury Board Secretariat released the results of the 2011 Public Service Employee Survey (PSES). According to the Treasury Board Secretariat website: The Public Service Employee Survey (PSES) has been conducted every three years since 1999. It provides employees the opportunity to anonymously voice their opinions on their leadership, workforce and work environment.Read… Read more »

Federal Job Search Training Discussion, FedTalk Radio 11 am ET with Kathryn Troutman

JOIN THE FEDERAL JOB SEARCH DISCUSSION … Call or write an email with your questions and challenges with your Federal Job Search! Internet or radio listening! February 10, 2012 — This week on FEDtalk, host Debra Rothwill lead a roundtable discussion on federal resume writing, and federal employment “train the trainer” programs in the D.C.Read… Read more »

How Do you Feel About Sneaky? Lawmakers Lob Scud Two

Last night, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee approved to modify the federal pension system that would increase the amount government employees contribute to their pensions. Quietly tucked away into the 2012 American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act (aka: The Highway Bill), this stand-alone legislation (H.R. 3813 as incorporated into H.R. 7), would requireRead… Read more »

Pop Quiz: What’s Up with your Employer Brand?

Building on last week’s post (Everybody Else is Recruiting…), here are 5 hints to assessing your employer brand (a distinct: Is your agency’s website well-designed and highly-navigable? When on your agency’s website, does it take more than 10 seconds to identify the careers or jobs page? Is there an intuitive approach to the way theRead… Read more »