Low morale of federal employees hurts charitable giving

Morale and thinner wallets are blamed for a drop in donations to the Combined Federal Campaign.

Federal Diary

For feds, 2014 won’t be as bad as 2013

A lone worker enters Woodrow Wilson Plaza at Federal Triangle in Washington October 2, 2013.  Federal Triangle is occupied by city and federal office buildings. Up to one million federal workers were thrown temporarily out of work on Tuesday as the U.S. government partially shut down for the first time in 17 years in a standoff between President Barack Obama and congressional Republicans over healthcare reforms.  REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS BUSINESS)

Last year, federal workers suffered pay cuts, lockouts and violence. This year, low morale is the problem.

Should feds be screened when entering federal buildings?

Senate hearing explores federal building safety and asks if employees should be screened as visitors are.

Budget deal brings some stability to federal workforce

Wednesday’s final approval means workers don’t have to worry about a shutdown for a couple of years.

In the Loop

Al Kamen

Rights groups: Be careful going to the U.S. embassy in Yemen

The State Department regularly issues travel warnings. Now the ACLU has issued one.

In the Loop

Al Kamen

Gates of Wrath

Bob Gates’s new memoir is an important lesson for any president picking top officials to serve in his first term cabinet.

In the Loop

Al Kamen

Obama picks his first Asian American deputy secretary of cabinet department

Chris Lu, a top White House aide in the first term, has been chosen to be deputy Secretary of Labor.

The High Court

Did Scalia nail the court’s opinion on same-sex marriage?

The Supreme Court justice’s dissent is being quoted by judges striking down same-sex-marriage bans.

Getting personal before the Supreme Court

The Supreme Court building stands in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Monday, Nov. 7, 2011. U.S. Supreme Court justices questioned today whether police officers should have unbridled freedom to place GPS devices on cars to track criminal suspects. Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg

On a rare personal note, a lawyer tells the justices that he had faced a court custody hearing as a child.

Supreme Court busy looking for cases — but finding few

3183UO-USA-SCOTUS_BIRTH_CONTROL_O_ CBS - DIGITAL USE ONLY, NO BROADCAST USE WORLDWIDE, NO ACCESS AUSTRALIA BROADCASTER WEBSITES. NO ACCESS JAPAN. NO ACCESS ABC AMERICA, FOX, UNIVISION, TELEMUNDO, BBC AMERICA, NBC, OR THEIR DIGITAL/MOBILE PLATFORMS.

The justices have found fewer cases than usual worthy of a full briefing and oral argument.

Fine Print

Fine Print: The Company and a question of trust

A CIA veteran’s book shows how agency missteps and misdeeds have helped erode trust in government.

Good or not, change is coming to the NSA

FILE - This June 6, 2013 file photo shows a sign outside the National Security Agency (NSA) campus in Fort Meade, Md.  A civil rights lawyer says the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is very disappointed that a New York judge has found that a government program that collects millions of Americans' telephone records is legal. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)

NSA may be collecting fewer dots, and fewer people will have access — so connections may be missed.

A ‘Front-Page Rule’ is unprecedented in U.S. intelligence

epa03999788 The headquarters of the National Security Administration (NSA) is seen in Fort Meade, Maryland, USA, 22 December 2013. In the wake of a federal judges ruling that the NSA's gathering of Americans' phone call data is unconstitutional, members of Congress are weighing policy options to overhaul the NSA's surveillance program.  EPA/JIM LO SCALZO

Presidential panel suggests covert activity shouldn’t be undertaken if the public couldn’t support it if exposed.

Federal Player

Designing U.S. currency to prevent counterfeiting

Dan Humphrey and colleagues at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing are exploring new U.S. currency security features for the future.

The Federal Coach

Tips from federal agencies with happy employees

Here’s what some agencies did to improve morale and commitment among their workers.

Using ‘Best Places to Work’ data to improve your agency

The annual rankings come out on Wednesday. Here’s what to do with the news of where your agency falls.

Leadership lessons from the president of American University

“Leadership cannot be the province or responsibility of one person or a small group at the top.“

Latest Federal News

Obama political donor leading IRS investigation

Justice Department trial attorney Barbara Bosserman contributed $6,750 to Obama and the DNC.

Column

In the Loop: U.S. Embassy on passport watch in Yemen

In the Loop: U.S. Embassy on passport watch in Yemen

Citizens are having their passports confiscated, ACLU says, as embassy stays on guard against fraud.

Rights groups: Be careful going to the U.S. embassy in Yemen

Rights groups: Be careful going to the U.S. embassy in Yemen

The State Department regularly issues travel warnings. Now the ACLU has issued one.

IRS watchdog says customer service has suffered under budget cuts

IRS watchdog says customer service has suffered under budget cuts

The report repeats a call for a taxpayer “Bill of Rights,” particularly in the aftermath of a scandal last year.

Sotomayor’s self-help message: Ask her anything

Sotomayor’s self-help message: Ask her anything

One questioner asked the justice if she wears dentures. No, she said — and there’s a story behind it.

Gates of Wrath

Gates of Wrath

Bob Gates’s new memoir is an important lesson for any president picking top officials to serve in his first term cabinet.

Homeland’s IG nominee tells supportive panel he is ready

Homeland’s IG nominee tells supportive panel he is ready

Nominee John Roth would take charge of an office investigating Homeland Security’s No. 2 official.

Obama picks his first Asian American deputy secretary of cabinet department

Obama picks his first Asian American deputy secretary of cabinet department

Chris Lu, a top White House aide in the first term, has been chosen to be deputy Secretary of Labor.

Military spouses could face easier path to permanent federal jobs

Military spouses could face easier path to permanent federal jobs

Government to consider change that would ease federal employment for military spouses

Will domestic assault conviction help Sen. Collins primary challenger?

Will domestic assault conviction help Sen. Collins primary challenger?

GOP challenger to Sen. Susan Collins (R-Me.) says his “fraudulent” 2003 conviction for assaulting his then- wife speaks to his integrity.

Nominee for Homeland Security IG to testify

Nominee for Homeland Security IG to testify

John Roth, a top official with the Food and Drug Administration, would take over a troubled office if confirmed.

Column

In the Loop: A terrorism calendar for our times

In the Loop: A terrorism calendar for our times

Counterterrorism center issues its annual datebook on the status of some of world’s dangerous players.

Obama to talk NSA reform with lawmakers

Obama to talk NSA reform with lawmakers

EYE CATCHERS | Our recommended stories from The Washington Post and across the Web.

White House seeks enviro policy council chair

White House seeks enviro policy council chair

The White House is looking for someone to succeed Nancy Sutley as head of the Council on Environmental Quality.

Federal regulators suing Buckyballs founder for recall

Federal regulators suing Buckyballs founder for recall

The Consumer Product Safety Commission wants entrepreneur Craig Zucker to pay for the recall.

Counter terror calendar 2014 is out!

Counter terror calendar 2014 is out!

National Counterterroism Center’s 2014 day planner can be a fine belated Christmas gift for that person you forgot to put on the list.

Where is the December jobs report?

Where is the December jobs report?

The BLS normally releases the numbers on the first Friday of every month, but not in January.

Designing U.S. currency to prevent counterfeiting

Designing U.S. currency to prevent counterfeiting

Dan Humphrey and colleagues at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing are exploring new U.S. currency security features for the future.

Supreme Court halts gay marriages in Utah pending appeal

Supreme Court halts gay marriages in Utah pending appeal

The state asked the high court to intervene after a federal judge’s ruling in December allowed such unions.

Column

Fine Print: The Company and a question of trust

A CIA veteran’s book shows how agency missteps and misdeeds have helped erode trust in government.

New IRS commissioner addresses agency challenges

New IRS commissioner addresses agency challenges

John Koskinen held his first meeting with reporters just hours after his ceremonial swearing-in on Monday.

Column

For feds, 2014 won’t be as bad as 2013

For feds, 2014 won’t be as bad as 2013

Last year, federal workers suffered pay cuts, lockouts and violence. This year, low morale is the problem.

Obama administration takes on nuns

Obama administration takes on nuns

EYE CATCHERS | Our recommended stories from The Washington Post and across the Web.

Varied views on new contractor-pay cap

Varied views on new contractor-pay cap

The new rule has lowered the limit on contractor pay by nearly 49 percent, setting the top level at $487,000.

Advocates ask Justices to let Utah gay marriages continue

Advocates ask Justices to let Utah gay marriages continue

Utah is challenging a judge’s ruling that the state’s ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional.

Supreme Court asked to lift delay on birth-control rule

Supreme Court asked to lift delay on birth-control rule

The Obama administration says the Little Sisters of the Poor can exempt itself from contraceptive coverage.

2013 is behind federal workers, but challenges lie ahead

Labor groups predict continued pain for federal workers as they do the same work with less money.

Tips from federal agencies with happy employees

Tips from federal agencies with happy employees

Here’s what some agencies did to improve morale and commitment among their workers.

Ruling lets religious groups not cover contraceptives

Ruling lets religious groups not cover contraceptives

The Supreme Court will hear arguments this year on the issue related to new health-care law.

Colorado pot smokers start 2014 on a high note

Colorado pot smokers start 2014 on a high note

Federal bill to legalize marijuana is most-read on government site