Federal Diary Live

The Post's Stephen Barr is the author of The Federal Diary, which runs Monday through Friday in the Business news section. Steve has been a reporter and editor at The Post since 1979, including stints as Federal Page editor, congressional editor and a National staff writer covering federal management and workplace issues. He began writing the column in May 2000, and takes the column live to answer your questions Wednesdays at noon ET.

Postal Service, Union to Take Their Differences to Arbitration, ( Post, Dec. 5)

The transcript follows.

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Stephen Barr: Welcome to this discussion! We've got Congress in the wind-down mode, hoping to make an exit before Friday. Lawmakers have not acted on the 2007 federal employee pay raise, but President Bush has laid down his marker -- a 2.2 percent average increase. By most accounts, Congress will approve an interim spending bill to keep the government open through mid-February, and that will likely trigger hiring freezes across many agencies. We don't know the specifics of the interim bill, but some aides predict it will address some of the tougher situations, like the Social Security Administration shortfall, and keep agencies from laying off employees. With that summary, on to the questions. Thanks for your participation!

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Philadelphia, Pa.: I believe a small part of the reason for the Republicans' loss in Congress was due to their treatment of the middle and lower middle class. Denying the minimum wage boost, small federal salary increases with massive war spending and great benefits for the wealthy are just some of their mistakes. Now they won't even pass budget legislation that includes these raises. Do you think that they just don't get it?

Stephen Barr: Perhaps. But exit polls on Election Day suggested that the war in Iraq and questions about "corruption" in Congress were issues that tilted views and gave the Democrats control of the Hill.

Clearly, the inability to get the nation's work done played into that, to some extent. In today's Post, you'll see a report that says Rep. Steny Hoyer, the next majority leader, expects the House to work five days a week next year. Now, that's a change!

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Fairfax, Va.: Is the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA)broken out anywhere in the ranking for the "Who's Hot" list?

Stephen Barr: No. The Gallup Organization asked survey respondents to give their views on just a few departments and agencies. I talked with the Gallup project director yesterday and he said the pollsters will be drilling down into this data and conducting more surveys, and will try to break out some agencies for more attention.

For those of you confused by this exchange, please see today's Federal Diary, a summary of a report on whether key segments of the population are interested in working for the government and what views they hold. Also would encourage you to read the comments being attached to the column, and to add your own, if so moved.

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washingtonpost.com: Today's column: Potential Employees Express Lukewarm Interest in Working for the Government, ( Post, Dec. 6)

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NOVA: So, what exactly happens if Congress does not pass federal pay raises? Do the President's go into effect? What happens if Congress then passes higher or lower raises later? When would those go into effect? Would they be retroactive to the first pay pd. in January?

Stephen Barr: Many questions with no clear answers.

Assuming that Congress adjourns without legislating a specific raise, the 2.2 percent increase in the president's order would take effect with the first pay period of January, which starts Jan. 7 for most people.

It seems very unlikely that Congress would decrease that amount after it comes back to work in January. There remains an outside chance that Congress would increase the number to 2.7 percent. If it does so, the raise would be retroactive to Jan. 7, assuming that past practice in similar situations is followed.

That is speculative, however, and for now, you should think in terms of 2.2 in 2007.

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Rockville, Md.: Hot? Important?

After retiring as a fed and having spent time with CIA, DoD and FDA I am surprised by the public perception. I think if I were to start all over I would want to work at OPM. They seem to be the real movers in town. Or for OMB.

Were you surprised to see OPM so low?

Stephen Barr: You must jest.

Seriously, most of the public does not know anything about OPM or OMB. I think the larger point from this survey is that each agency needs to get serious about marketing and branding itself because the public's perceptions about "the government" seem set in stone.

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Alexandria, Va.: Hi Stephen,

I was just called yesterday to come in for an interview at an agency that I also found out yesterday is probably going to lay off about 20% of it's staff due to an upcoming reorganization. Is it even worth my time to interview or do you think that since they are actually interviewing candidates at this time that the position is probably a safe one? I don't want to go through all the hassle just to find out that the new position is one that is not going to be funded (since it is brand new) or worse, filled and then eliminated a couple months later.

Stephen Barr: You'll need to make this decision for yourself, and, of course, it never hurts to talk to them.

But, as a general rule, I think most people are interested in agencies with growth potential, not downsizing. Best of luck!

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St. Louis, Mo.: While it's true that the federal government needs to hire and attract young talent, are you aware of an agency programs focused on retaining early to middle career employees, (what I would call the 40 year old crowd with more than 10 years of service, but more than 15-20 years left until retirement)?

Stephen Barr: My general impression is that most agencies are eager to retain their managers and mid-career employees. The general view in D.C. seems to be that the government faces shortages in the mid-career ranks, and OPM and some agencies are looking for ways to spur hiring from the outside to fill such jobs.

I'd be eager to hear from others on the mid-career issue.

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Arlington, Va.: One of the most disheartening experiences I saw as a federal employee is to have all my worked contracted out. My research and project design would get a standing ovation, but then I wouldn't get to work on the project any longer. When did the federal government become more oversight of tasks and not performers of tasks? Do you think the contracting philosophy has taken much interest in federal careers as the opportunity to innovate leaves for the private firms ?

Stephen Barr: You get to the heart of the matter--in terms of contracting and in terms of recruitment (see today's column).

What you have experienced may be an economic solution -- that private companies can provide cheaper labor to carry on projects, etc. The government is in transition, and, from my perch, seems on its way to becoming a "knowledge" industry rather than a worker-bee factory. The problem, as Diary readers well understand, is that Congress does not act in rational ways when it comes to workforce policy and it remains unclear whether agencies will ever have enough payroll dollars to compete for top talent, a necessity for a knowledge business.

I should note that I'm way in over my head here, so other views are appreciated.

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Re: Alexandria Interview: The agency may be cutting staff in only certain areas. I think the issue here is a good question for the interview.

Stephen Barr: Superb suggestion. Thanks.

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Washington, D.C.: Hi Stephen,

Can you shed any light on the current status of the conversion to HR Max at DOD and DHS? I'm a DHS employee, and it seems to have fallen off the radar.

Stephen Barr: That is a good assessment. The White House has nominated a new DHS undersecretary for management, and, if lucky, he might get confirmed this week. I suspect MaxHR is in a holding pattern until that job is filled and Secretary Chertoff and the White House can find time to sort out how they want to handle the court's order to redo labor relations and related provisions.

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Washington, D.C.: I know I am a little late in looking at my Open Season options, but I was thinking about dropping FEHB and just going with my husband's insurance. His policy is actually better than what I have now but I've always had my own policy and am just wondering if you know of any downsides to not enrolling? And no, I'm no where near retirement.

Stephen Barr: You are right -- the mainside of not carrying FEHBP is the risk of not being able to take it with you into retirement.

The general rule is that you need to be enrolled for five years leading into retirement in order to keep FEHBP. (It's drug coverage is superior to Medicare's, etc.).

Longer term you need to think about your husband's job and health coverage are totally secure; if he loses either, you could be without insurance until your next open season opportunity. You would also want to look at the terms of the employer premium contribution, the coverage levels, plan options, and so on.

This is a big personal decision, and I urge you to review all these aspects with agency personnel officials or some independent party before moving ahead. Best of luck!

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Washington, D.C.: The problem with mid career is this - at my agency, they tend to hire SES and higher level GS people from the outside. So, although I'd love to stay at my agency for my career, if I really want to have a career and not be a staffer all of my life, it looks like I have to go work in industry, then come back. I just had a division director ask why people left and I told him this - he just didn't see it as a problem, but knows we need more people to stay longer than 3-5 years.

Stephen Barr: Thanks for providing some clarity to this for me. I hear from many employees that their colleagues drop out of government at the three and five year mark. Many managers prefer the fresh-baked loaf (a new hire from the outside or another agency) to the day-old loaf (you and me, plugging away at our jobs). Still, it seems to me that your agency, if hiring SESers from the outside, must be an exception, and so perhaps you should try to transfer into another agency and experience how it works before jumping into industry. Best of luck!

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Not saying: I think my agency would be thrilled to see all of us middle-aged, middle career GSers leave to be replaced by Generation Y. Lately that seems like where all the internal policies and external hiring and promotions are going anyway.

Stephen Barr: Yes, some managers like the excitement that Gen Y brings to the workplace. Youth, technology skills, mobility, etc. We are in for an interesting transition as the baby boomers retire.

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SSA: I did see your article on movement in the senate on the Social Security appropriation, but what is your best guess of what the final resolution will be, and what do you base it on?

Stephen Barr: I don't know what funding number is in the works, but congressional aides tell me that lawmakers are not the least bit interested in being held accountable if SSA field offices have to close because of employee furloughs, as is now predicted. I'm hearing from the Hill that the issue will be addressed in the interim funding bill, the CR. Hope I'm right!

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NSPS Land: My agency head said this morning the date (goal) for conversion to the NSPS is 3/18/07.

Stephen Barr: Assume you are talking about Spiral 1.3?

The Pentagon has said that it will begin in the spring, although so far there has been no specific announcement regarding dates or who is in, as best I know. It's possible your boss has seen something that is not ready for prime time. Don't hesitate to write me back.......

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Falls Church, Va.: As a recent federal retiree, I know that I will only receive a prorated portion of the 3.3% COLA in my January payment. Are these increases always rounded to the nearest 0.1% so that 5/12 of 3.3% becomes 1.4% instead of 1.375%? And does tat slightly larger dollar payment amount then become the basis for the following year's COLA?

Stephen Barr: Yes, it is added on top, the following year. And yes, it is rounded to the nearest tenth of a percentage point.

Enjoy that retirement!

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Washington, D.C.: Just wondered but is it legal for a supervisor to call around to people someone works with just to get dirt on them or in my case, to keep calling until he finds some? Can't they give supervisors something to do besides criticize?

Stephen Barr: Hmmm. Perhaps your supervisor has an issue with your performance or conduct? I would try to get this straightened out as soon as possible. Don't let workplace problems fester.

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Baltimore, Md.: Is there a noted reaction from federal employees to the recoil by politicians who are told that they need to work a more normal length of week? I am not a federal employee, but for an entire career I have worked 40+60+ work weeks, traveled canceled vacations, worked while home and on and on.

Stephen Barr: Federal employees understand that members of Congress spend a lot of time traveling to and from their home districts. That is a hardship for members from out West. Employees also understand that lawmakers are at work in their district offices when not in D.C.

And, I must quip, some federal employees want Congress on the road. It makes for some peace and quiet in their offices.

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Tracy, Calif.: I've been curious about the cost of the war in Iraq. Figures are given but it's not clear whether figure is the total cost or just the portion that appears in the Defense budget. Might there be other cost in other depts that support the war effort somehow? And what is the total impact of this cost on the total budget and the government's ability to respond to need such as levees and the rebuilding of New Orleans?

Stephen Barr: The Iraq Study Group report, out today, estimates the war's cost at $400 billion. I'm sure other tallies will be made in coming months, including some from Democrats who will control key committees in the next Congress. How you count may hinge on definition -- for example, do you include the extra costs at the VA for treating the war injured?

I urge you to read the Iraq Study Group report, which is posted on washingtonpost.com's home page today.

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Bethesda, MD: Re: losing your project

Clearly what someone, or lots of someone's, have forgotten is that for many of us, coming up with the idea for a project is only the beginning of the fun. It's getting a chance to WORK ON OUR IDEA that is rewarding, in and of itself.

I mean, I'm a researcher myself and I WANT to work on my ideas, and no, the fun isn't minimized with others sharing it. But don't take away all of my ideas, pat me on the head, and then go blasting me (fed) in the press as a "blundering bureaucrat" and damn me with faint praise (anemic yearly pay raises).

-hmph-

I am curious as to whether Congress gets ITS pay raise the first pay period of the year, while the rest of us wait in economic limbo.

Any idea?

Stephen Barr: Thanks for making that point. I know I often like to hang onto my ideas because I always think I'll do it the "right" way or do a better job, but, sigh, some people can probably take the ball and run farther than I can.

As for Congress, just for the record, federal employees will receive a raise in January, and so will members of Congress. And remember, if it makes you feel better, while you are getting 2.2 percent, lawmakers will be getting 1.7 percent.

Once again, we've run out of time today. Thanks for taking the time to join us, and thanks to all of you reading this transcript. We'll see you back here at noon next Wednesday!

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