OPM has released Governmentwide Executive Onboarding Program Framework and Manual, documents designed to improve the transition period for newly hired senior executives.
The documents flow from work by the Partnership for Public Service and OPM in recent years citing issues with getting newly hired federal employees, including new SES members, up to speed.
“On average, new executives require a minimum of 6 months to become fully productive in their role,” the manual says. “Executive onboarding programs help prevent and address a number of important issues common to most new executives – making the transition for new executives smoother, more efficient, and more positive, and allowing new executives to transition quickly and effectively into their new roles. Successful onboarding further contributes to leadership retention, and promotes long-term organizational success.”
It says that on average, 16 percent of newly hired SESers fail to complete their one-year probationary period successfully, for reasons that included termination for performance, performance significantly below expectations, or voluntary resignation from the new position.
