GAO Says Insufficient Use of Personnel
Flexibilities
Can Significantly Hinder Federal Agencies
Friday,
December 4, 2002
WASHINGTON - Insufficient
and ineffective use of personnel flexibilities can significantly
hinder the ability of federal agencies to recruit, hire, retain,
and manage their staff, according to a new report by the General
Accounting Office (GAO), Congress’ watchdog arm.
Senate Governmental Affairs
Committee Chairman Joe Lieberman (D-CT), Ranking Member Fred
Thompson (R-TN), Subcommittee Chairmen Daniel Akaka (D-HI) and
Richard Durbin (D-IL), and Subcommittee Ranking Members Thad
Cochran (R-MS) and George Voinovich (R-OH), requested that the
GAO provide information on the most effective existing personnel
flexibilities, additional flexibilities that are needed, and
protecting employee rights when implementing flexibilities.
“Effective use of
agencies' personnel authorities can play a key role in
recruitment, development, and retention of a high-quality
federal workforce,” said Chairman Lieberman. “The report
calls on agency leaders to collaborate with managers, employees,
and unions in implementing flexible personnel authority, and to
establish clear and transparent guidelines to help ensure that
implementation of available flexibilities is consistent and
fair.”
“Over the years we have
seen a parade of witnesses and reports in the Governmental
Affairs Committee telling us that the federal civil service
system is in desperate need of repair.
Federal managers have an extremely difficult time
recruiting effective, qualified public servants, and few methods
for rewarding the employees they already have. Not only should
managers be given the tools to effectively hire, discipline, and
reward federal employees, they must also effectively implement
existing flexibilities to ensure a top quality workforce,”
said Ranking Member Thompson.
“Dynamic workplace
flexibilities can significantly contribute to the missions of
federal agencies and help them achieve their goals.
At a time when about half the federal workforce is
eligible for retirement, we must make sure that existing
flexibilities aid in the recruitment, retention, and motivation
of employees, while preserving the rights of workers.
However, awareness and training for managers is crucial
for the use of existing flexibilities and the protection of
employee rights. I'm
pleased the report focuses on the need to make sure supervisors
and managers use their responsibilities properly,” Senator
Akaka said.
“The federal government is
facing an array of personnel challenges.
Federal managers and personnel specialists must do a
better job of using the flexibilities currently authorized to
effectively manage their people.
At the same time, there is no question that additional
flexibilities are needed. I
commend GAO for this report, which will assist us as we move
forward with our efforts to modernize the civil service so that
federal employees will be able to deliver the results that our
citizens deserve,” said Senator Voinovich.
The GAO found that some
effective flexibilities currently exist, including alternative
work schedules, child care and transit assistance, special
hiring authorities, and incentive awards for notable job
performance. However, it also outlined additional flexibilities
that are needed, such as more flexible pay approaches,
streamlining the hiring process, and addressing poor job
performance.
The GAO also outlined six
key practices for effective use of personnel flexibilities,
which are
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planning strategically and making targeted investments;
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ensuring stakeholder input in developing policies and
procedures;
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educating managers and employees on the availability and
use of flexibilities;
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streamlining administrative processes;
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building transparency and accountability into the system;
and
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changing the organizational culture.
A
copy of the GAO report can be obtained at here
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