OPM director: RIFs are not personal; they’re about aligning our workforce with the mission needs. Image: Mark Van Scyoc/Shutterstock.com
By: FEDweek StaffNewly confirmed OPM director Scott Kupor has revived a blog not used by anyone in that position for three years, titled Secrets of OPM, and “aimed at offering the American public and federal employees an inside look at the agency’s work and priorities.”
“Every week, I’ll be sharing what we’re working on, why it matters, and how we’re applying lessons from the private sector, like investing in human capital and staying nimble, to help government work better for everyone,” he said in an announcement.
The initial posting, titled OPM for the People cited actions including guidance on workplace accommodations for religious views and practices and flexibilities for employees married to military personnel stationed overseas.
Regarding the current Topic A in the federal workforce, ongoing and threatened RIFs, he said: “I know they’re difficult – it means telling people who have contributed to the success of the organization that through no fault of their own, the organization simply cannot afford to keep them in their job. And the implications are real – employees have families and communities who rely on them and financial responsibilities to manage. So, we take these things seriously and thank everyone who is affected for their dedicated service to the country.”
He continued, “Unfortunately, however, the government simply cannot afford to be all things to all people. RIFs are not personal; they’re about aligning our workforce with the mission needs of each agency and ensuring taxpayer dollars are used responsibly. A leaner government isn’t a lesser one. Operational efficiency – in my book – means both delivering a great service to the American people and doing so at the lowest cost possible. My job, and OPM’s mission, is to help agencies get the right people in the right roles, at the right time, to serve the American people better; and we can do that honorably and respectfully.”
He added that “several agencies have already decided to scale back their original RIF plans” following attrition due to steps such as the deferred resignation program. However, the posting added no details to a recent statement to that same effect by an OPM official in a court filing.
While the OPM announcement of the revival says the postings will be weekly, such a pace previously proved hard to sustain. Biden administration OPM director Kiran Ahuja made 12 postings in 2021 after being confirmed in mid-year, then only four through September 2022 and none after that. Many of them were routine statements on occasions such as Veterans Day or Labor Day.
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