The number of agencies using buyouts and early-outs to
reshape workforces has increased from 28 to 51 from fiscal
2003 to fiscal 2005, and at least 22,600 employees have
separated from federal service under these authorities
during that time, the Government Accountability Office
has said.
Officials at six agencies believe the Office of Personnel
Management’s review and feedback of their plans for using
buyouts and early-outs has improved implementation,
according to GAO-06-324.
It said however the average time it took to carry out each
of 28 program reviews was 36 days, but added that OPM is
establishing more stringent timeframes for review and is
reducing the number of reviewers involved.
GAO has identified effective practices for the use of
these programs, and agencies said they’ve resulted in
better-planned programs, but the agencies still have yet
to evaluate the longer-term effectiveness of buyouts and
early-outs for reshaping future workforces, the report said.
Agencies proposed increasing the current dollar amount
that agencies may pay through buyouts and allowing agencies
to make minor changes to buyout and early-out plans after
OPM approval.
GAO recommended that OPM, with the Chief Human Capital
Officers Council, share information on agency successes,
help agencies assess program effectiveness, assess agency
suggestions, and pursue the necessary regulatory and
statutory changes necessary to implement them. OPM agreed.
