Work-life programs require additional OPM guidance

The Office of Personnel Management is missing opportunities to help federal agencies develop, implement and improve work-life programs, according to the Government Accountability Office.

The report (GAO-11-137), sent Thursday to members of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and the Senate Special Committee on Aging, found that most federal managers were satisfied with OPM's assistance in developing work-life programs, such as child and dependent care, smoking cessation, flexible scheduling, and health and wellness opportunities. OPM could improve its monitoring, evaluation and information dissemination to help agencies address their work-life goals, however, the audit found.

Of the 33 federal chief human capital officers and work-life managers GAO surveyed, 24 reported OPM's guidance greatly or somewhat helped in implementing work-life programs, while six said the agency's assistance helped in some cases and hindered in others. Most survey respondents were satisfied with OPM's regulations and program guides explaining work-life requirements, as well as information on leading initiatives provided through OPM's website and listservs, the report found.

Agencies need to track the effectiveness over time of work-life programs to determine whether they should continue to invest in these initiatives or devote resources to other human capital programs, according to GAO. While some agencies measure use and effectiveness of work-life initiatives, OPM does not track or maintain a database of agency evaluations. The agency also does not review reports submitted due to a lack of time and resources, the audit found.

Though OPM plans to evaluate and share information about its own work-life pilot program, it has not shared best practices from private sector initiatives with other federal agencies, GAO found. Private sector leaders have said these programs increase employee job satisfaction and improve recruitment, retention and productivity. Federal officials also believe work-life programs affect their ability to recruit and retain employees. About half said these opportunities have a great or very great effect on recruiting and retention efforts, while an additional third said they have a moderate impact, according to the report.

Better information sharing could help agencies make decisions under budget constraints, and OPM can play an important role in collecting and disseminating data, GAO said, adding OPM should improve its tracking of federal programs; evaluate surveys of private sector initiatives; and share that information with agency officials.

OPM agreed with GAO's evaluation but noted private sector practices might not provide "ready-to-use" options for federal agency work-life programs, nor does the agency want to selectively endorse these practices.