OPM said it wants agencies to invite unions to conduct at least one new employee orientation session in the majority of their bargaining units. Image: DCStockPhotography/Shutterstock.com
By: FEDweek StaffOPM has posted on performance.gov a quarterly update of steps taken so far, and those planned, under the “strengthening and empowering the federal workforce” element of the President’s Management Agenda.
For example, on the goal involving attracting and hiring the most qualified employees who reflect the nation’s diversity and putting them in the right roles, OPM said that agencies “are exploring the applicant experience, from early career through senior level, including the perspective of applicants with critical skills and from underserved and underrepresented communities. Recruitment is another area being explored, particularly opportunities for strategic partnerships with organizations that represent, support, and engage underserved communities.”
And on the-goal of building “ equitable pathways into the federal government for early career positions,” it says that agencies “are exchanging experiences and the business case for investing in interns and early career talent” and are “working to surface leading practices with paid internships and early career hires, including efforts to include and support underserved and underrepresented communities.”
Steps ahead on the former goal include that agencies will “continue to stand up talent teams to expand and enhance recruitment and hiring of top talent” and implement guidance on skills-based hiring, while steps ahead on the latter include planned guidance to increase the availability of paid internships and update the Pathways Program.
Also ahead, OPM said, are creation of a Chief Diversity Executive Council; having agencies “invite unions to conduct at least one new employee orientation session in the majority of their bargaining units, where benefits of union membership are discussed”; OPM review of the qualifications criteria for elevation into the SES and of career development programs; “revitalizing” employee assistance programs; and issuing proposed rules to carry out an executive order to minimize prior salary history in setting starting salaries.
The posting follows a recent update by OPM and other larger agencies on actions they have taken and are planning to take under their own two-year priority goals under the management agenda.
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