OMB has issued final guidance on implementing the Plain Writing Act of 2010 that mandates that government documents to be written in clear and concise language and that agencies attempt to minimize jargon, redundancy, ambiguity, and obscurity in the documents they produce.
According to the guidance, M-11-15, by July 13 each agency must designate at least one senior official for plain writing responsible for overseeing the implementation of the act and OMB’s guidance.
It also directs agencies to create a plain writing section of their websites, communicate the requirements of the act to agency employees and train them on plain writing, establish a process by which the agency will oversee its ongoing compliance with the Act’s requirements; as well as publish an initial report, on the plain writing section of the agency’s website, that describes the agency’s plan for implementing the Act’s requirements.
By October 13 agencies will be required to write all new or substantially revised documents according to the guidanceBill Would Extend Probationary Period for Feds
The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee has passed legislation in a 17 – 14 vote along party lines that would extend the probationary period for federal employees to two years, up from one year.
The bill, HR-1470, was introduced by Rep. Dennis Ross, R-Fla., who later amended it to specify that only new hires would have the probationary period and that the bill would not apply to preference eligible veterans.
According to the committee the legislation has received support from several management organizations including the Federal Managers Association and the Senior Executives Association.
The National Treasury Employees Union issued a statement in response to the bill, noting that earlier versions would have established a two-year probationary period every time a federal employee received a transfer, is reassigned, promoted or demoted.
