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Trump Signs Executive Order To Hold Federal Employees Accountable For Performance And Conduct

May 25, 2018 06:30PM ● By Flint Zerangue, Sr.
May 25, 2018

Washington D.C. - President Trump signs Executive Order outlining a merit system to hold Federal employees accountable for their performance and conduct. 

The order states that employees should maintain high standards of integrity, conduct, and concern for the public interest and that the Federal workforce should be used efficiently and effectively.  They further state that employees should be retained based on the adequacy of their performance, inadequate performance should be corrected, and employees should be separated who cannot or will not improve their performance to meet required standards.

Unfortunately, implementation of America’s civil service laws has fallen far short of these ideals.  The Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey has consistently found that less than one-third of Federal employees believe that the Government deals with poor performers effectively.  Failure to address unacceptable performance and misconduct undermines morale, burdens good performers with subpar colleagues, and inhibits the ability of executive agencies (as defined in section 105 of title 5, United States Code, but excluding the Government Accountability Office) (agencies) to accomplish their missions.  This order advances the ability of supervisors in agencies to promote civil servant accountability consistent with merit system principles while simultaneously recognizing employees’ procedural rights and protections.

Prior to the order, it has been virtually impossible to discipline or terminate Federal employees.  

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Source: White House
Sections 1104(a)(1), 3301, and 7301 of title 5, United States Code, and section 301 of title 3, United States Code