While many of you may have heard that budget is policy, and some of the budget proposals (if passed) have the potential to impact our benefits, I think it is also important that we look at what the Administration is saying that they want to focus on vis-à-vis the federal workforce. If you haven’t read the 2018 Federal Workforce Priorities Report, you may want to do so. (You can find it online at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/human-capital-management/federal-workforce-priorities-report/2018-federal-workforce-priorities-report.pdf). While my primary focus is federal career management, I think the report provides valuable information for each of us to consider as we actively plan our careers.
The Report itself identifies 6 priorities for the federal workforce. These priorities
- Priority 1: Succession Planning and Knowledge Transfer. Conduct succession planning activities to retain and transfer institutional knowledge, as workforce reshaping efforts are undertaken.
- Priority 2: Deploying Communication Tools. Adopt tools that allow employees to easily connect, communicate, and collaborate with one another regardless of geographic location.
- Priority 3: Securing Technological Solutions for Human Capital Analysis. OPM will seek to acquire or develop enterprise technological solutions to assist the Federal human capital community with human capital analysis.
- Priority 4: Expanding Employee Development Opportunities. Provide employees with ample opportunities for continuous professional growth and skill development.
- Priority 5: Bolstering Employee Recognition Programs. Administer robust programs to appropriately recognize and reward employees who demonstrate high levels of performance and significantly contribute to achieving organizational goals.
- Priority 6: Enhancing Productivity through a Focus on Employee Health. Encourage employees to engage in physical fitness activities during time spent commuting and being at work
Half of the Priorities, numbers 1, 4, and 6, directly relate to career management, and Priority 5 has the potential to do so. I encourage you to think about how you might incorporate these ideas into your career planning. Future columns this month will address this.
