OPM ISSUES FINAL RULES ALLOWING AGENCIES TO ESTABLISH
COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS WITH OUTSIDE GROUPS

Washington, D.C. -- The U.S. Office of Personnel Management is issuing final regulations governing agency relations with managerial, supervisory, professional, and other organizations that are not labor organizations.

The regulations which will appear in the June 26, 1996 Federal Register incorporate certain provisions that existed in the former Federal Personnel Manual (FPM) which was eliminated on December 31, 1994.

The final regulations require agencies to establish systems for intra management communications and consultation with their supervisors and managers. They must also establish consultative relationships with associations whose membership is primarily composed of federal supervisory and/or managerial personnel. Consultative relationships with other non-labor organizations representing federal employees are discretionary.

ABy allowing a free exchange of information and ideas with employee organizations, federal managers can improve agency operations, personnel management and employee effectiveness,@ said OPM Director Jim King. AThe sharing of information can only shed light on improving policies that best serve the public interest.@

The regulations remind employees about certain representational activities that are prohibited and advise them to consult with their designated agency ethics official for guidance regarding any conflicts of interest that may arise.

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