Executive/Legislative/Judicial

Washington — Federal employees need more comprehensive guidance from the Office of Personnel Management before they return to the workplace amid the COVID-19 pandemic, House Democrats contended during a June 25 virtual hearing convened by the House Government Operations Subcommittee.

Washington — The White House Office of Management and Budget has launched an initiative designed to enhance workplace safety and health – and, in turn, reduce injuries – among federal employees.

Boston – Massachusetts is closer to extending OSHA protections to an estimated 400,000 public workers after the state’s House on Oct. 25 voted unanimously in favor of a bill (H. 3952) that boosts safety standards for all state and municipal government employees.

Washington – Mandatory guidelines for drug testing of federal employees have been updated to include testing for four semi-synthetic opioids, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration recently announced.

Washington – After a narrow vote in the Senate, the so-called “blacklisting” rule that sought to force federal contractors to disclose previous labor-law violations is all but eliminated.

Washington – The House of Representatives has voted to block the so-called “blacklisting” rule that sought to force federal contractors to disclose previous labor-law violations.

Lincoln, NE – Nebraska prison officials need to address inmate violence against employees – as well as the overall safety culture – in the state’s correctional facilities, according to the results of a survey of correctional workers released June 1 by the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services.

Washington – The Department of Labor should consider alternatives to its proposal that would require federal contractors to provide paid sick leave to their workers, the Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy wrote in an April 6 letter.

Washington – A bi-partisan bill to increase safety protections for correctional officers has passed both the House and Senate and is awaiting the president’s signature to become law.

Boston – Elected heads of government may face an increased risk of early death compared with runner-up candidates who did not go on to serve in government, according to a study from Harvard Medical School.