Expanded Tobacco Cessation Services for Federal Employees

Beginning on January 1, 2011, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) will require all insurance carriers in the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program to offer standardized, expanded tobacco cessation coverage. This includes full coverage (no enrollee copayments, no coinsurance, no deductibles, and no annual/lifetime dollar limits) for seven FDA-approved medications, four counseling sessionsRead… Read more »

Government Agencies waste $15.4 BILLION Annually on Inefficient File Search

MeriTalk, an online Government IT community, surveyed 300 Federal employees to investigate if and how they find the documents they need, and the role that online file search plays in their workday. They compiled their findings in the report, Uncle Sam’s Lost and Found: $15.4 Billion. The report looks at Feds’ ability to easily –orRead… Read more »

Three Thoughts As I Deck the Halls

I’ve been neglecting this blog. Too busy with holiday doings. So before I forget them, here are three quick thoughts that might deserve longer pieces…after the holidays. 1. Dashboards I’m beginning to wonder about the wisdom of all these performance “dashboards.” I understand that, in the spirit of open government, it’s good to have someRead… Read more »

TSA Supervisor to Staffer: Speak English

Last month, President Obama signed into law a bill that tells Uncle Sam to speak and write plainly. The bill echoed Obama’s executive order in May instructing agencies to write job announcements in clear language. Unfortunately, one smart-ass TSAer at BWI airport didn’t get the memos. Happily, her supervisor did. The New York Times reports:Read… Read more »

Social Events and Political Savvy

It is that time of year again when organizations have social functions. Always remember that work social events are an informal extension of the organization. So to make sure you are politically savvy I have put together some Dos and Don’ts for your sucess this social season. Don’ts Don’t lie and not show up Don’tRead… Read more »

Is the State Department Wiki Leaks the Beginning of a Nightmare For Open Government?

After three days of consuming the best of cuisine during Thanksgiving holiday, I have once again experienced my usual holiday epiphany to become inspired. It is usually around this time of year, that I personally and professionally aspire to take my goal setting to the next level. Honestly speaking, I am excited about expanded hopesRead… Read more »