Federal Daily - March 27, 2008
Study: Newly Hired Upper-Level Feds Like Their Jobs, Workplace
Newly hired, upper-level federal workers say they like their jobs and consider the government workplace
a more challenging environment than their previous non-federal positions, said a study by Merit Systems
Protection Board (MSPB). The study, released March 25, looked at how the federal government could improve
its ability to compete with private-sector employers for highly skilled and well-experienced workers.
The study offered some good news. For example, upper-level new hires—GS grades 12, 13, 14 and
15 or equivalent in Fiscal Year 2005—viewed their agency’s workplace flexibilities, such
as telework and alternative work schedules, as better than or the same as their last employers. Those
hired from outside government also indicated that their federal work is more challenging than their
previous non-federal jobs and that working for their new agencies gives them a better chance of making
a difference. “Our findings suggest that government service has strengths that agencies can capitalize
to compete for highly skilled workers,” said MSPB Chairman Neil A. G. McPhie. Commenting on the
report, Lynn Jennings, a vice president with the nonprofit Council for Excellence in Government, lauded
the study and the goal of hiring the best employees—and advised that agencies can find the best
talent, especially among young candidates, simply by posting job vacancies on sites other than the
venerable USAjobs.gov. “We hire most of our candidates off of Craigs list—we go where young
people do their social networking,” Jennings told FederalDaily.com. To see more, go
to: www.mspb.gov/netsearch/viewdocs.aspx?docnumber=323203&version=323649&application=ACROBAT.
:: Back to Top ::
Unions Call for Stronger Whistleblower Protections
As lawmakers prepare to address whistleblower legislation over the next several weeks, a coalition
of unions representing Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) employees renewed their call for stronger
protections for those workers who expose agency wrongdoing. Within the next few weeks, House and Senate
negotiators are set to resolve differences in two whistleblower protection bills pending before Congress:
H.R. 985 and S. 274, the coalition said in a March 24 open letter to lawmakers. The unions urged that
any final version of the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act contain specific protections for
federal employees who blow the whistle on the suppression or distortion of federal research or technical
information, or other such wrongdoing in government. “EPA employees must be able to protect human
health and the environment without interference and should be able to speak out freely about distorted
or suppressed scientific findings or decisions,” the letter said. To see more, go to: www.peer.org/docs/epa/08_25_3_union_whistleblower_letter.pdf
:: Back to Top ::
Board Reminds Vets They Can Claim Retirement Credit
The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) this month reminded veterans that they can use time served in
the military as retirement credit under the Railroad Retirement Act. For the military service to qualify,
a veteran must have been employed by a railroad in the same or the preceding calendar year to their
call-up date, RRB said in a recent statement. Only active duty military service qualifies. A reservist
called up to active duty, such as during the current partial mobilization, would receive credit for
that time they served on active duty. However, emergency call-up of the National Guard by a governor
for riot or flood control would not be creditable. RRB provides federally administered benefits to
railroad employees. To see more, go to: www.rrb.gov/opa/qa/pub_0804.asp.
:: Back to Top ::
|
