Erica Roach, the CFO of the US Office of Personnel Management (OPM), made headlines this week with her resignation. The OPM, the primary HR agency for the federal government, oversees a massive $1.1 trillion in assets dedicated to federal workers' benefits. Roach's departure is just the latest in a series of changes within federal agencies. Roach's Resignation Erica Roach, who had … [Read more...]

USAID, the US Agency for International Development, will be placing almost all of its direct-hire workforce on administrative leave beginning Friday at midnight. An email sent to staff on Tuesday evening and posted on the agency's website outlined the upcoming changes. Administrative Leave for USAID Staff The email stated, "On Friday, February 7, 2025, at 11:59 pm (EST) all USAID direct … [Read more...]

The Trump administration reports that more than 20,000 federal employees have agreed to buyout offers. Despite this number, it falls short of the White House's target of 5-10% of federal workers accepting the deal. Officials anticipate a significant increase in acceptances leading up to the February 6 deadline. Anticipated Spike in Numbers Two officials from the Trump administration revealed … [Read more...]

Palantir CEO Alex Karp recently expressed his optimism about the disruptive impact of Elon Musk's DOGE and how it could benefit both Americans and Palantir, a company with significant government contracts. Embracing Disruption Karp, the CEO of software company Palantir, believes that Elon Musk's Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE) will bring about positive disruption to the US … [Read more...]

Taiwan has taken a significant step by prohibiting government agencies from utilizing DeepSeek AI technology due to security apprehensions. The Ministry of Digital Affairs in Taiwan emphasized that the technology poses a threat to national information security. This decision comes following the unveiling of the R1 model by the Chinese AI lab, which stirred turmoil in the market. Taiwan's Ban … [Read more...]

As federal employees gear up to go back to the office full time, they are confronted with a new challenge: what to wear. The transition back to in-person work poses a unique sartorial struggle for many government workers, with the dress code leaning towards the conservative side. The Conservative Nature of Federal Workwear Government employees, especially those working in federal agencies, are … [Read more...]

When it comes to planning for the future, having a will and estate plan in place is crucial. However, navigating the world of trusts can be overwhelming. To shed light on this topic, let's delve into the essential trusts recommended by estate planning attorney Donna Stefans. 1. Revocable Living Trust A revocable living trust serves as a vital layer of instructions that dictate how your assets … [Read more...]

The tech industry is abuzz with excitement surrounding DeepSeek, a Chinese open-source AI company that is making waves in tech discussions. The implications of DeepSeek's rise could have significant consequences for various players in the industry. Let's explore who stands to benefit and who might face challenges in the wake of China's big AI win. DeepSeek Disrupting the Status … [Read more...]

Justine Sterling Converse, the founder of a Texas-based event strategy and management company, recognized the challenges faced by working mothers in her industry. To address this issue and retain valuable staff members, Converse implemented a generous 16-week paid maternity leave policy, along with a unique fifth 50% transition month program. Recognizing the Need for Change Converse's … [Read more...]

Microsoft recently released its second-quarter earnings, unveiling impressive results in its AI business. However, the figures were not quite enough to appease investors, leading to a slight dip in the company's stock value. Slower Growth in AI and Cloud Computing Sales The sales figures related to Azure and other cloud computing services saw a 31% growth in fiscal Q2. While this growth is … [Read more...]