News Briefs

THE DAILY FED

News Briefs

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The following news summaries are from OPM AM, the daily newsletter of the Office of Personnel Management. OPM AM is available on OPM Mainstreet, the agency's electronic bulletin board, at 202-606-4800.

OPM--"The strategic plan written by OPM offers a glimpse of the formidable tasks federal HR professionals will face over the next five years" (Federal Human Resources Week).

PRIVATIZATION--"In its first 15 months of operation, the first privatized spin-off of a federal work unit has produced more than $20 million in savings to U.S. taxpayers" (FEND's Government Performance Report 11/3/97).

THE FEDERAL DIARY--"Although most major federal unions have cooperated with the Clinton administration's elimination of some 280,000 jobs, they also occasionally have managed to delay, scuttle or modify agency efforts to reorganize or lay off employees" (The Washington Post).

SSA--The GAO today will warn that the Social Security Administration (SSA) faces a possible computer crash in the year 2000 because the agency has not started analyzing or fixing several crucial systems affected by the year 2000 software glitch (The Washington Post).

CONGRESSIONAL HEARING SEEKS "BEST PRACTICES" FROM INNOVATIVE STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT-The House Subcommittee on Government, Management, Information and Technology, chaired by Representative Stephen Horn, R-Ca., held a hearing Friday to learn about best practices that have proven effective and can inform congress at a time of increasing public insistence that government improve its performance.

CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENTS

Government Technology Leadership Institute

Dec. 2-3. "Leading Change, Leveraging Technology." Marriott Metro Center, Washington, D.C. Through examination of case studies and practical theories, the institute will demonstrate the pontential and pitfalls of IT initiatives, explain key laws and regulations, and teach how best to evaluate the performance of ongoing technology programs. The 6th annaul Government Technology Leadership Awards will also be announced.

Managing the Federal Employee Discipline and Performance Process

Jan. 12-13, Feb. 25-26. A nuts-and-bolts course designed to enable managers to navigate through the shoals of employee conduct and performance problems without becoming the loser. Cost:$550. Conducted by William Rudman. Brookings Institution. Washington, D.C. Contact Lela Sallis (202)797-6299.