Clinton orders personnel management improvements

Agency leaders must incorporate human resources management goals in to their annual performance plans beginning in October of this year, President Clinton said in a memo to the heads of federal agencies on Monday.

Clinton urged federal managers to make human resources management a priority in planning and budgeting and asked the Office of Management and Budget to write guidelines on how to incorporate human resources goals in to agencies' annual performance plans.

"My administration has made a significant commitment to achieving the highest standards of human resources management and accountability for the American people- but more can be done," said Clinton.

Special emphasis should be placed on workforce recruitment and development, the memo said, in order to "maintain and strengthen our vision of a diverse federal workforce that is skilled, flexible, and focused on results and service." Agencies should also focus on improving the government's cadre of human resources professionals, Clinton said.

Clinton directed Office of Personnel Management Director Janice R. Lachance to change the name of the Interagency Advisory Group of Federal Personnel Directors to the Human Resources Management Council. The group includes senior human resources officials across government who work on governmentwide HR policies and best practices. The Council should continue to collaborate on emerging federal HR issues, Clinton said.