House votes to grant agencies hiring, pay flexibility

The House passed legislation Wednesday that would give agencies several new options for hiring and compensating employees.

Top federal personnel officials have long said that federal agencies need more flexibilities to recruit and retain quality employees. The bill provides a number of these authorities, including permission for agencies to pay bonuses of up to 100 percent of annual pay over four years. The measure also requires agencies to focus training programs around their strategic goals, create management succession programs, and provide training to assist managers in dealing with poor performers.

The Senate passed its version of the bill, known as the Federal Workforce Flexibility Act (S.129), in April. Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, introduced the measure. The House gave its assent Wednesday on a voice vote.

The bill allows members of the Senior Executive Service who are hired away from the private sector to receive the same vacation benefits that are afforded to those who rise through the federal ranks. Some other workers hired from private firms also will receive credit for previous work experience when determining vacation time.

The bill also addresses a long-standing complaint of federal employees by providing compensatory time off for workers who must conduct business travel outside of normal working hours.

The bill met with bipartisan approval.

"The federal government's most important asset is our people, and we must be able to recruit, retain and reward them," said House Government Reform Committee Chairman Tom Davis, R-Va. "This legislation not only enhances existing statutory authorities, but provides additional flexibilities that will assist in the management of human capital."

Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., the ranking Democrat on the Government Reform Committee, said the measure "provides agencies with additional tools to recruit and retain employees. I am pleased that these flexibilities apply governmentwide, and are not limited to only some agencies."

The bill must go through a conference committee before it is sent to President Bush.