Fedweek

GAO has called attention to unresolved recommendations government-wide that it considers high priority, including recommendations that OPM:

* track whether special pay authorities are effective in improving employee recruitment and retention, and determine what potential changes may be needed to improve their effectiveness;

* examine ways to make the GS system “more consistent with the attributes of a modern, effective classification system”;

* “develop a strategic approach for identifying and sharing emerging research and innovations in performance management”; and

* decide whether agency-specific personnel authorities should be extended to other agencies.

Also included were several recommendations to address skills gaps government-wide in IT, as well as recommendations specific to certain occupations in agencies including SEC, VA, Transportation, Treasury and NRC.

Overall, GAO said that 4,769 recommendations it has made remain open, 404 of which it considers priority.