Federal Personnel Director James Reiterates Bush Administration Support for Veterans Preference
Agencies requested to do more; prepare for OPM audits

Washington, D.C. – Kay Coles James, Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management has, in a memo to the Federal team of Human Resources Directors, firmly reiterated the President’s commitment to veterans’ preference in filling Federal jobs. James praised agency efforts to recruit veterans last year (FY2001) which resulted in a significant increase of veterans in the Federal civilian service. Compared to the private sector, Federal agencies employ over twice the percentage of veterans and five times the percentage of disabled veterans. James, however, said that agencies can still do more and she strongly encouraged all agencies to ensure that veterans’ preference laws are fully upheld. Further, she announced that OPM would conduct selected audits of agencies adherence to veterans’ preference. James stated, “We need to remember that veterans’ preference is not a barrier to the Federal hiring process, it is a key component of this process. HR professionals should be clear that this Administration, working alongside with the professional HR team, will fight to protect veterans’ preference.”

James stated, “The professional HR community understands that there is an obligation to uphold and enforce veterans’ preference in the Federal hiring process. Veterans’ preference is a legal right that reflects a national value; it can not, will not, and shall not be circumvented.”

OPM oversees the federal work force and provides the American public with up-to-date employment information. OPM also supports U.S. agencies with personnel services and policy leadership including staffing tools, guidance on labor-management relations and programs to improve work force performance.