Brown & Goodkin - Representing Federal Employees Worldwide

12/23/2024

The OPM retirement backlog has dropped to levels not seen since 2016.

The OPM retirement backlog has been reduced to levels not seen since 2016 at the end of November.

10/21/2024

Can you believe in the year 2024 our USPS postal workers have to negotiate air conditioning to be included in their vehicles? Take a look at USPS’s tentative contract (attached). To me, that says something about the job of a postal worker.

Being a postal worker is one of the most under appreciated jobs there is in the US.

Postal carriers use almost all of their body parts repetitively delivering mail, from their brain to their toes. Sometimes they get chased by dogs and yelled at by angry people. Other times they get blamed for lost packages. Postal workers are expected to deliver in rain, snow, and the 108 degree sun. They often have the same route and same time frame to deliver, even on days they have to deliver 10%, 20% or 30% more mail.

Have you ever been to the post office and seen someone yelling at the very postal worker trying to help them?

I challenge you to stop and appreciate what your postal worker does for you.

Since 1775, the mail started and it has kept on coming. USPS has consistently been here for us, for our parents, and generations before them.

Next time you see a postal worker, instead of ignoring them, or being short with them, perhaps you can thank them. A little appreciation goes a long way.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mail-carriers-usps-tenative-contract/

07/09/2024

Would you know the difference if someone asked you to go fishing 🎣versus phishing 💰☠️?

Unfortunately, criminals are tricky and often pose as people you know. Sometimes they use emails that are similar to emails in your organization. Other times they use emails similar to your clients. They may even look up information on your website and pretend to be a coworker or someone from human resources, asking for updated direct deposit information. These criminals are smart, persistent, and evolving.

At Brown & Goodkin, we take cybersecurity seriously. So seriously, in fact, that Brown & Goodkin recently updated our client management software system to an end-to-end, encrypted solution in order to further protect our clients data. And, we will continue to roll out additional safety features and updates as they become available. Your cybersecurity security is of utmost importance to our firm.

Part of cybersecurity means educating employees and clients to recognize what phishing looks like.

It’s important for ALL of us to continually share information about the latest scams with one another. Don’t be afraid to educate the people you know and love. Knowledge is power.

If you receive an email and you are not 100% sure about it, pick up the phone and call the sender before you click!

Let’s make this world safer together!

07/09/2024

At Brown & Goodkin, we take cybersecurity seriously.

We recently revamped our entire client services software to a new complete system that

07/06/2024

Ready or not, here AI comes!
And it is hitting a federal agency near you!!!

FedRAMP's Emerging Technology Framework speeds up approval process for federal agencies. Prioritizing generative AI ensures faster approval for innovative tools such as chat interfaces and code-generation. https://ow.ly/mvM550StGRf

07/04/2024

07/03/2024

What could be more fun than the Reader’s Digest for a little 4th of July trivia?

Let’s see how you do :
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1. Question: Who ruled England when the Colonies established independence?

Answer: King George III

2. Question: How many people were estimated to be living in the Colonies when they gained independence?

Answer: 2.5 million

3. Question: Which city hosted the first official Independence Day celebration on July 4, 1777?

Answer: Philadelphia

4. Question: When was the first 4th of July celebration held at the White House?
Answer: July 4, 1801, when Thomas

Jefferson was president

5. Question: How many times does the Liberty Bell ring on each Independence Day?

Answer: 13 times

6. Question: What is the location of the nation’s oldest 4th of July parade?

Answer: Bristol, Rhode Island

7. Question: What was the first state to declare the 4th of July a state holiday?

Answer: Massachusetts

8. Question: What year was the 4th of July declared a national holiday?

Answer: 1870

9. Question: Which three U.S. presidents died on the 4th of July?

Answer: John Adams (July 4, 1826), Thomas Jefferson (July 4, 1826) and James Monroe (July 4, 1831)

10. Question: On the flip side, which president was born on the 4th of July?

Answer: Calvin Coolidge (July 4, 1872)

11. Question: Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest has happened on each Independence Day since 1972. Where does the competition take place?

Answer: Coney Island, New York

12. Question: According to the National Hot Dog & Sausage Council, roughly how many hot dogs are eaten on the 4th of July?

Answer: 150 million

13. Question: According to the National Retail Federation, how much money are people expected to pay, on average, for the food for their 4th of July bash this year?

Answer: $93.34

14. Question: What is the largest 4th of July fireworks display in the U.S.?

Answer: The Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks celebration in New York City

15. Question: According to the American Pyrotechnics Association, how much did Americans spend on fireworks in 2023?

Answer: $2.3 billion

For the additional questions (there are 60!), the link has been provided.

Enjoy your holiday friends and federal employees!

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We celebrate America on July 4, but there are facts about this day that go undiscussed. Here's some 4th of July trivia you may not know.

07/03/2024

Wishing all our federal employees and their families a very happy and safe 4th of July!

05/01/2024

https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/01/politics/havana-syndrome-victims-cia-russia/index.html Our firm is handling many cases for Havana syndrome (AHI) victims. The anger is real. The good news is that Havana Syndrome is covered under FECA and there is a straight forward method for getting claims approved.

When Bill Burns became CIA director in March 2021, he vowed to investigate a mysterious illness afflicting a growing number of soldiers, spies and diplomats who reported a sudden onset of debilitating symptoms, including severe headaches, loss of balance and reduced cognitive function.

02/16/2024

Presidents.
They come into office from different backgrounds. Some had multiple careers prior to serving in one of the most important jobs in America. Sometimes we forget they were sons, brothers, students, and not all that different from us.

Whether you plan to enjoy a National Park or kick up your feet at home, we hope you enjoy this holiday with a little more knowledge about our past leaders.

Here are some fun facts about past presidens for you to enjoy Presidents Day 2024!

We’re excited to celebrate Presidents Day this year. Do you have any plans for visiting a national park that pays homage to a great American leader of yesteryear? With so many options to choose from, you may not have to go far to find a park that’s protected in honor of a former…