GAO discussed its personnel system, focusing on: (1) areas where the system has been beneficial; and (2) aspects of its grievance and appeals procedures. GAO noted that: (1) it can move more expeditiously in hiring and recruiting its personnel; (2) it has created a performance-based system that rewards its staff for accomplishments and contributions; (3) it implemented new position classifications that allowed it to use its staff based on their skills and abilities; (4) it implemented a three-step grievance system to internally resolve or adjudicate employee complaints; (5) the GAO Personnel Act created a board to provide its employees an independent appeal authority and fair protection against prohibited or discriminatory actions; and (6) the board consists of 5 members, with 5-year terms, and has substantially the same adjudicatory responsibilities as the executive branch's board and other federal personnel organizations.