Federal Employee Redress: An Opportunity for Reform

GAO discussed how well the administrative redress system for federal employees is working and whether it contributes to or detracts from the efficient operation of the government. GAO noted that the redress: (1) system is inefficient, expensive, and time consuming because of the complexity and variety of redress mechanisms afforded federal employees; (2) system is vulnerable to employees who take undue advantage of the redress rights of individual workers; (3) system's protracted processes and requirements divert managers from more productive activities and may inhibit them from taking legitimate actions in response to problems; and (4) system puts pressure on employees and agencies to settle cases to avoid potential costs. In addition, GAO noted that alternatives to the redress system exist in the private sector and may be worth congressional attention.