U.S. Office of Personnel Management - Ensuring the Federal Government has an effective civilian workforce

The Performance Management Mailbag

Our mail includes often-asked questions that we'll be sharing with our readers in this recurring feature.

Q.
How can agencies fulfill the regulatory requirement to "provide for communicating with employees and supervisors about the relevant parts of their award program(s)"?

A.
The regulations recognize that many means of communications are available to agencies to help employees understand their specific awards programs(s). Communications could include formal training, memos, brochures, one-on-one communication between supervisors and employees, or discussions during staff meetings. Agencies also can communicate awards program information through their Internet or intranet sites. One characteristic of a successful awards program is that it provides for communicating often to employees so that all employees covered by the program understand the criteria for awards.

Originally on published April 2000.