Career Appointments of Political Appointees
GGD-99-182R: Published: Sep 29, 1999. Publicly Released: Sep 29, 1999.
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Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO clarified when it is appropriate for a political appointee to receive a career position in the federal government.
GAO noted that: (1) according to the applicable law and regulations, provided that proper merit system procedures are followed, it is permissible for a political appointee to receive a career appointment; (2) in fact, regardless of whether or not a person is a current political appointee, political affiliations cannot be taken into account--either favorably or unfavorably--when a career appointment is made; (3) in cases GAO has reviewed over several years, it has found relatively few problems with the selection of political appointees to career positions; and (4) however, diligent adherence to merit selection procedures remains vital to ensuring the integrity of any competitive selection process.
Sep 10, 2018
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority:
Assessing Fiscal Risks and Improving Workforce Management Would Help Achieve Strategic GoalsGAO-18-643: Published: Sep 10, 2018. Publicly Released: Sep 10, 2018.
May 30, 2018
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DOD Personnel:
Further Actions Needed to Strengthen Oversight and Coordination of Defense Laboratories' Hiring EffortsGAO-18-417: Published: May 30, 2018. Publicly Released: May 30, 2018.
Dec 14, 2017
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Federal Pay:
Opportunities Exist to Enhance Strategic Use of Special PaymentsGAO-18-91: Published: Dec 7, 2017. Publicly Released: Dec 14, 2017.
May 24, 2017
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National Weather Service:
Actions Have Been Taken to Fill Increasing Vacancies, but Opportunities Exist to Improve and Evaluate HiringGAO-17-364: Published: May 24, 2017. Publicly Released: May 24, 2017.
May 18, 2017
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Federal Workforce:
Sustained Attention to Human Capital Leading Practices Can Help Improve Agency PerformanceGAO-17-627T: Published: May 18, 2017. Publicly Released: May 18, 2017.
Apr 27, 2017
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Strategic Human Capital Management:
NRC Could Better Manage the Size and Composition of Its Workforce by Further Incorporating Leading PracticesGAO-17-233: Published: Apr 27, 2017. Publicly Released: Apr 27, 2017.
Dec 29, 2016
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Securities and Exchange Commission:
Actions Needed to Address Limited Progress in Resolving Long-Standing Personnel Management ChallengesGAO-17-65: Published: Dec 29, 2016. Publicly Released: Dec 29, 2016. -
Securities and Exchange Commission:
SEC Personnel Survey Results (GAO-17-95SP, December 2016), an E-supplement to GAO-17-65GAO-17-95SP: Published: Dec 29, 2016. Publicly Released: Dec 29, 2016.
Sep 1, 2016
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Federal Hiring:
OPM Needs to Improve Management and Oversight of Hiring AuthoritiesGAO-16-521: Published: Aug 2, 2016. Publicly Released: Sep 1, 2016.
Aug 19, 2016
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Department of Housing and Urban Development:
Actions Needed to Incorporate Key Practices into Management Functions and Program OversightGAO-16-497: Published: Jul 20, 2016. Publicly Released: Aug 19, 2016.
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