Author Archive
Erich Wagner

Erich Wagner is a staff correspondent covering pay, benefits and other federal workforce issues. He joined Government Executive in the spring of 2017 after extensive experience writing about state and local issues in Maryland and Virginia, most recently as editor-in-chief of the Alexandria Times. He holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Maryland.
IT Modernization
TSP officials promise service will improve after a difficult transition to the new recordkeeping system
Staffing at the call center that serves participants of the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program has already increased 66%, with more on the way.
- By Erich Wagner
Workforce
House Oversight Committee advances legislation encouraging telework at agencies
The bill would improve training for managers, among other things.
- By Erich Wagner
Workforce
TSP participants bemoan bumpy recordkeeper transition
Federal employees and retirees have reported problems with setting up new accounts for online access to the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program, and the agency’s call center has been deluged.
- By Erich Wagner
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Workforce
White House internships will soon be paid
The move comes as part of an administration-wide push to improve the recruitment of young federal workers.
- By Erich Wagner
IT Modernization
TSP preps for its transition to a new service provider
Beginning in June, TSP participants will have access to long awaited and requested features like a mobile app, a virtual agent to help users and answer questions, and they will be able to invest in mutual funds.
- By Erich Wagner
Workforce
More than 60 Democratic lawmakers want a 5.1% raise for feds
The lawmakers asked the leadership of the House Appropriations Committee to override President Biden’s plan to offer an average 4.6% raise for federal employees in 2023.
- By Erich Wagner
Workforce
OPM targets data and benefits education to improve equity in the federal workforce
The federal government HR agency’s report was one of more than 90 equity action plans released by the Biden administration this week.
- By Erich Wagner
Workforce
Biden proposes a 4.6% raise for federal workers for 2023
If enacted, the figure would mark the largest pay increase for federal employees in two decades.
- By Erich Wagner
Congress
Lawmakers face tight deadline to pass funding bills
Although appropriators still had not released the text of a $1.5 trillion omnibus spending package Tuesday afternoon, they insisted they would not resort to passing another stopgap measure to keep the government open.
- By Erich Wagner
People
Biden's Supreme Court pick comes with experience on federal employee issues
Ketanji Brown Jackson overturned a trio of Trump executive orders that had made it easier to fire federal employees and limited union bargaining rights.
- By Amelia Gruber, Erich Wagner and Courtney Bublé
Workforce
OPM issues guidance to ensure 67,000 feds make at least $15 per hour
Agencies have until the end of this month to exercise special pay rates to implement a $15 minimum wage, in accordance with a Biden administration executive order.
- By Erich Wagner
Workforce
Social Security workers to return to offices possibly by the end of March
The Social Security Administration reached agreements with all of its unions on reentry that unions hope will lead to a more collaborative relationship moving forward.
- By Erich Wagner
Workforce
Hill proposal would give feds a 5.1% average pay raise in 2023
A bill from Democratic lawmakers would provide federal workers with a 4.1% across-the-board boost, along with an average 1% increase in locality pay.
- By Erich Wagner
Workforce
Agencies must establish COVID-19 testing programs for certain unvaccinated feds and contractors by Feb. 15
Task force issues new guidance on coronavirus testing for those who report to federal facilities or otherwise interact with the public.
- By Erich Wagner
Workforce
Report: 45% of all federal employees teleworked in fiscal 2020
The Office of Personnel Management’s latest annual telework report captures the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- By Erich Wagner