Federal supervisors are generally satisfied with the performance of their personnel offices, according to a recent U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board survey of 2,600 supervisors.
More than 60 percent of those surveyed reported that the overall quality of personnel services provided was either "somewhat" or "very" good. About 22 percent reported that the overall service provided was poor.
Seventy-six percent of supervisors said the quality of advice on employee time, attendance and leave issues was satisfactory or outstanding, but only 50 percent said the quality of advice on reorganization and downsizing was satisfactory.
Supervisors were pleased with the timeliness of information they received from personnel offices in response to questions regarding attendance, leave, labor-management relations and performance management. They were less positive about the timeliness of service on reorganization activities, pay and job classification and downsizing.
The survey also asked managers to identify the most important factors in filling job vacancies. More than 80 percent said a candidate's job-related experience is the most important factor, with documented qualifications coming in a close second. When internal candidates are under consideration, recommendations from within the agency are important, supervisors said. Supervisors considering outside candidates said successful interview skills are a must.
Supervisors said that the current salary level of the candidate does not factor heavily in making a hiring decision.
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