Learn Federal Human Resources

Mar 22, 2026 4 min read

Online Retirement Application and Post-Retirement Access for Federal Employees

The federal retirement process has transitioned from a paper-based system to an online platform called the Online Retirement Application, or ORA.

Johnny Bynum

Mar 17, 2026 3 min read

How the Wage Supervisor Standard Works

Factor one, factor two, factor three, and the grading table.

Sineta Scott Robertson

Mar 14, 2026 3 min read

Consulting with Decision Makers Using HR Analytics

Effective HR analytics requires more than accurate analysis; it demands a consulting relationship in which HR helps leaders define the right problem before any…

Feb 19, 2026 3 min read

Executive Exemption Criteria Explained

What it takes for a federal position to qualify as executive under FLSA.

Sineta Scott Robertson

Feb 16, 2026 3 min read

An Overview of the Federal Job Grading System

History, coverage, and the role of blue collar trades and labor positions.

Sineta Scott Robertson

Feb 15, 2026 3 min read

Controlling Guidelines and Coverage Under FLSA

Reading the regulations that decide who is exempt and who is covered.

Sineta Scott Robertson

Feb 13, 2026 4 min read

An Introduction to HR Analytics: Moving from Reporting to Insight

HR analytics is a disciplined way of using data to understand what is happening in the workforce and why, shifting HR professionals from describing events to…

Feb 4, 2026 4 min read

The Components of the Federal Wage System

Pay categories, job families, grade levels, and key ranking jobs.

Sineta Scott Robertson

Jan 26, 2026 3 min read

The Elements of a Federal Wage System Job Grading Standard

Work covered, work not covered, titles, grade levels, and the note to users.

Sineta Scott Robertson

Jan 19, 2026 4 min read

Laws and Regulations Governing Federal Employee Relations

The United States Code, the Code of Federal Regulations, and agency-specific regulations form the layered legal framework that governs federal employee…

Kristin Aurelia

Jan 16, 2026 4 min read

Post-Retirement FEGLI Coverage and Reduction Options Explained

When federal employees retire, one of the key decisions they face is how to handle their Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) coverage going forward.

Johnny Bynum

Jan 4, 2026 3 min read

Understanding the Learned Professional Exemption

Why advanced knowledge in a field of science or learning is the heart of the test.

Sineta Scott Robertson

Dec 28, 2025 4 min read

Interviews and Focus Groups as Qualitative Data Collection Tools

Interviews and focus groups are powerful methods for collecting qualitative HR data, but each requires deliberate structure, neutrality, and skilled…

Dec 16, 2025 3 min read

The Five Step Job Grading Evaluation Method

Determining pay system, job family, total job, title, and documentation.

Sineta Scott Robertson

Dec 8, 2025 4 min read

Excepted Service & Appointments Outside the Competitive Service

Excepted service covers federal positions that operate outside competitive service procedures while still requiring merit-based selection, and includes six…

Kristin Aurelia

Dec 6, 2025 3 min read

FERS Basic Benefits & Creditable Service Explained

Explore how federal service is credited under FERS, including covered service, nondeduction service, refunded service, CSRS-to-FERS transfers, and deposit…

Johnny Bynum

Dec 6, 2025 5 min read

Military Service and CSRS Retirement Credit

Explore how different types of military service, such as active duty, reserve components, National Guard service, and post-1956 service—count toward CSRS…

Johnny Bynum

Dec 6, 2025 3 min read

Understanding CSRS Creditable Service

Explore the fundamentals of CSRS creditable service. Learn what types of federal service qualify for retirement credit, how refunded or nondeduction service is…

Johnny Bynum

Dec 3, 2025 4 min read

Preparing an HR Data Presentation: Structure, Storytelling, and Clarity

Translating HR analysis into a presentation that drives decisions requires a clear purpose, logical structure, intentional content choices, and a narrative that…

Nov 21, 2025 6 min read

The Narrative System: An Alternative Approach to Federal Job Classification

Discover how the Narrative System provides a unique, flexible framework for federal job classification through its eight distinct factors.

Trina Petty