Federal Within-Grade Raises, Bonuses on Tight Leash

Federal pay raises and bonuses are on a short leash. A memo issued last month by Office of Personnel Management Director John Berry told agencies not to give within-grade step increases to employees who are rated lower than fully successful. Another memo, issued a couple of days later, placed restrictions on employee bonuses beginning in October. The measure comes as part of the budget belt-tightening and political pressure from critics that site a generous federal pay system. Read more (Federal Times).