The Office of Personnel Management has released a guide for its new career patterns initiative trying to get managers to be more open to job sharing, part-time work, telework and other flexible workplace arrangements.
According to OPM, federal agencies will use this new career patterns approach starting next year, “in order to build new environments to recruit potential employees.”
The initiative — and guide — could also add a bit to managerial duties in terms of identifying positions suitable for such arrangements, as well as making sure vacancy announcements reflect that.
Managers will be asked to consider the suitability of positions keeping in mind seniority, mobility, permanence, mission focus, and flexible arrangements.
While OPM director Linda Springer said at a recent launch for the initiative that agencies would not have to fill quotas, it’s likely that the Office of Management and Budget would start rating agencies on their performance under the initiative.
The guide includes techniques for identifying opportunities and drafting plans for successful employment efforts, as well as instructions about incorporating the guide itself into agency human capital planning work. More on that here: www.opm.gov/CareerPatterns
