Washington, D.C. – Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), joined by Congressman Jim Moran (D-VA), Frank Wolf (R-VA), and Gerry Connolly (D-VA), introduced legislation today to improve supervisory training in the Federal government. Because a large number of Federal supervisors are expected to retire in the next few years, it is imperative that the Federal government train a new generation of supervisors.
“Properly trained supervisors are critical to the federal government’s ability to efficiently and effectively provide essential services to the American people.” said Senator Akaka. “By investing in supervisory training now, we will save money later.”
“The U.S. has the best federal workforce in the world,” said Congressman Moran. “Providing supervisors with the best possible training will improve work quality, professional development and job satisfaction throughout all levels of our federal workforce.”
“Improving training for federal supervisors will create a better work environment for all federal employees, increase employee performance and productivity, and lead to a more effective federal government,” said Congressman Wolf.
“The Federal Supervisor Training Act will improve efficiency in the federal government by ensuring that federal managers have the appropriate training to effectively supervise our federal workforce,” Congressman Connolly said. “This legislation will improve the federal workplace and empower our federal managers and federal employees to perform to the best of their ability on behalf of the citizens they serve.”
The Federal Supervisor Training Act would:
- Require that supervisors in the Federal government receive training within one year of being appointed a supervisor, and once every three years thereafter;
- Require that training be provided to supervisors on topics including:
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- Developing and discussing goals and objectives with employees;
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- Mentoring and motivating employees;
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- Fostering a fair work environment;
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- Employee collective bargaining rights and workplace discrimination law
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- Managing employees with unacceptable performance; and
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- Addressing reports of harassment or a hostile work environment;
- Require Federal agencies to establish a program where experienced supervisors mentor new supervisors; and
- Require the Office of Personnel Management – and allow individual agencies – to develop competencies that supervisors are expected to meet and agencies to assess supervisor performance using that guidance.
The legislation builds upon supervisor training requirements under the Federal Workforce Flexibility Act of 2004, which directs agencies to establish training programs that develop supervisors. It is widely supported by labor organizations, management associations, and outside good government groups. Senator Akaka introduced versions of this bill in the Senate in the 110th and 111th Congress. Congressman Moran introduced a version of this bill in House of Representatives in the 111th Congress.
Senator Akaka is Chairman of the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia. Congressman Moran is a member of the National Capital Region delegation and works closely with members of Congress from Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia to represent the interests of the Federal workforce.