Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, has introduced legislation similar to the Administration’s Working for America Act, but less far-reaching in that it would place performance management features over top of the general schedule instead of getting rid of it completely.
While the Working for America act has yet to find a sponsor, Voinovich’s bill, S-3492, the Federal Workforce Performance Appraisal and Management Improvement Act, has a better chance of winning support in that it is the kind of gradual transition to a more performance based system that lawmakers and groups opposing the administration’s proposal have called for.
The bill would beef up requirements that all employees receive annual evaluations–current provisions sometimes are not followed in that area–and prohibit raises and promotions if employees did not meet minimum standards.
Pay for performance “requires a significant commitment on behalf of managers and it will be easier for federal agencies to implement enhanced employee appraisals first,” Voinovich said.
“By instituting a more rigorous performance management standard on top of the current general schedule, I am optimistic this will create less anxiety among federal employees,” he added.
