John Palguta, vice president for policy at the Partnership for Public Service, joined the Federal Drivewith Tom Temin and Amy Morris to discuss the Federal Hiri...
wfedstaff | June 4, 2015 12:24 pm
By Jack Moore
Federal News Radio
House and Senate lawmakers have set their sights on legislation creating hiring standards for federal agencies.
But in many cases, the legislative reforms, spearheaded by the Federal Hiring Process Improvement Act, only mirror the steps agencies have already taken.
John Palguta, vice president for policy at the Partnership for Public Service, told the Federal Drive with Tom Temin and Amy Morris some agencies may view Congress as “coming late to the game.”
But the legislative push will also help give the reforms some much-needed longevity, Palguta said.
The administration and the Office of Personnel Management have actually “made a lot of progress,” he added, citing President Barack Obama’s May 2010 executive order which spurred the latest round of reforms.
“But, the fact of the matter, is things can change with administrations,” he added. “Presidential directives can be overturned or new ones implemented.”
The new legislation would:
While federal hiring reform has been much debated and discussed for a number of years, that talk has finally translated into action over the last year, Palguta said. In short, agencies are now taking the need for reform seriously, he said.
“And if we’re actually changing the laws, that has a lasting effect to continue these improvements,” he said.
But while the legislation mirrors what many agencies are already working on, not every provision is sure to charm them, he added.
For example, the law would require that vacant positions be filled within an average of 80 days, which would put pressure on human resources departments, he said.
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