Federal HRM oversight gets a fresh start. (human resource management)(includes related article)

OPM's personnel management oversight program is undergoing its most significant overhaul in 15years.

In February 1995, US Office of Personnel Management Director Jim King established a new Office of Merit Systems Oversight and Effectiveness. This high-profile operation reports directly to the OPM director, adding support and legitimacy to its mission. Its creation underscores OPM's core role as guardian of the merit system within the federal community.

The underlying premise of OPM's oversight program is that the US citizenry want and expect a federal civil service that is merit based. One of the agency's basic goals, therefore, is to promote adherence to and compliance with the merit system principles and the Veterans Preference Act.

This new organization has three purposes:

* to protect and promote a merit-based federal civil service:

* to identify opportunities for improving federal personnel policies and programs; and

* to help agencies meet mission goals through effective recruitment, development, and utilization of employees.

The first two purposes have long been associated with the oversight activity at OPM, encompassing both compliance and human resources management (HRM) assistance. They are familiar to us all. The third purpose, however, is one that we haven't necessarily connected with the oversight program of old. HRM policies, practices, and requirements exist to support the accomplishment of an organization's mission. They are not an end in themselves. As such, any oversight activity of HR functions must also focus on the effectiveness of those functions-in addition to ensuring compliance with law and regulation.

And just how will we do that? In the following few pages we have provided a snapshot of our goals and plans for this newly revitalized program which represents OPM's commitment to improve HRM through its oversight program.

Maintaining a Clear Oversight Vision

The mission of OPM's oversight program is based in statute and in the related needs and preferences of Congress, the administration, …