Civil Service Reform: Changing Times Demand New Approaches (Testimony,
10/12/95, GAO/T-GGD-96-31).

GAO discussed some of the issues surrounding the future of the federal
civil service. GAO noted that: (1) Congress has periodically updated its
provisions in response to changing conditions; (2) reforming the current
civil service system involves creating a system that meets the
requirements of the current workplace and is flexible enough to respond
to future demands; (3) private-sector employers and some government
entities are creating personnel systems that are decentralized and are
focused more on mission accomplishment and establishing guiding
principles rather than prescribing detailed rules and procedures; and
(4) if Congress decides to decentralize the civil service system by
allowing federal agencies more flexibility to manage their employees, it
will have to establish effective oversight and accountability mechanisms
to ensure that agencies adhere to civil service principles and meet
their established goals.

--------------------------- Indexing Terms -----------------------------

 REPORTNUM:  T-GGD-96-31
     TITLE:  Civil Service Reform: Changing Times Demand New Approaches
      DATE:  10/12/95
   SUBJECT:  Accountability
             Oversight by Congress
             Merit compensation
             Federal personnel legislation
             Federal employees
             Public service employment
             Labor force
             Labor-management relations
             Personnel management
             Decentralization
IDENTIFIER:  Senior Executive Service
             Federal Employees Retirement System
             Performance Management and Recognition System
             SES
             
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