Author Archive

Howard Risher
Workforce Management Consultant
Howard Risher is a consultant focusing on pay and performance. In 1990, he managed the project that led to the passage of the Federal Employees Pay Comparability Act and the transition to locality pay. Howard has worked with a variety of federal and state agencies, the United Nations and OECD. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Penn State and an MBA and Ph.D. in business from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. He is the co-author of the new book It's Time for High-Performance Government: Winning Strategies to Engage and Energize the Public Sector Workforce (2016), with Bill Wilder. Risher's latest book, Rethinking Retirement: Older Workers Are Too Valuable to Lose, will be published later this year.
Howard Risher is a consultant focusing on pay and performance. In 1990, he managed the project that led to the passage of the Federal Employees Pay Comparability Act and the transition to locality pay. Howard has worked with a variety of federal and state agencies, the United Nations and OECD. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Penn State and an MBA and Ph.D. in business from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. He is the co-author of the new book It's Time for High-Performance Government: Winning Strategies to Engage and Energize the Public Sector Workforce (2016), with Bill Wilder. Risher's latest book, Rethinking Retirement: Older Workers Are Too Valuable to Lose, will be published later this year.
Workforce
The Case for Creating an Older Workers Bureau
An agency focused on seasoned workers could further President Biden’s stated campaign goal of helping people who want to defer retirement continue contributing to society.
- Howard Risher
Workforce
To Be Successful, the Federal Government Needs to Empower Its Employees
Managers need the training and the tools to create a workplace where everyone is valued and committed to achieving organizational goals.
- Howard Risher
Pay & Benefits
Pay Will Be a Barrier to Rebuilding the Federal Workforce
The General Schedule pay system is too rigid to allow the government to attract and retain employees in today’s tight labor market.
- Howard Risher
Management
Are Agencies Ready for the New HR?
Strengthening the federal workforce will first require strengthening the Office of Personnel Management.
- Howard Risher
Management
The Missing Element in Revitalizing the Workforce: Performance
As long as day to day management of performance remains unchanged, it’s unrealistic to expect better results.
- Howard Risher
Management
Human Capital Execs Are ‘Resigned’ to Operating Around a Failed HR System
Looking to the future, the GS system will be a barrier to rebuilding a federal workforce with essential expertise.
- Howard Risher
Management
The Federal Pay Equity Quandary
Rebuilding the workforce will require a pay system that is seen as fair to highly qualified men and women. It also has to enable agencies to compete for talent.
- Howard Risher
Management
The Pandemic Triggered Culture Change, Now HR Practices Have to Follow
The old guard should be uncomfortable with what’s unfolding.
- Howard Risher
Management
DEI Goals Make It Imperative to Understand Essential Job Skills
Every job description should be reviewed.
- Howard Risher
Management
The Work to Make Government a DEI Model
It won’t be easy to execute Biden’s executive order to make federal employment fair and free of bias.
- Howard Risher
Management
Building On Biden’s EO on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Research offers recommendations for improving transparency, access, recruitment and accountability.
- Howard Risher
Management
Transforming HR for the ‘New Normal’
Kiran Ahuja, the newly confirmed director of the Office of Personnel Management, faces a monumental task.
- Howard Risher
Management
How Biden Can Strengthen the Federal Workforce
There is no better way to understand how the work experience has changed and how it can be improved than meeting with front line employees.
- Howard Risher
Management
The Foundation of the GS System Has Become a Sham
The failure of the job classification system affects every HR practice and puts billions of dollars in payroll in question.
- Howard Risher
Management
Managing Pay When the Goal is Rebuilding the STEMM Workforce
This would be an ideal time to rethink the talent management policies for these essential occupations.
- Howard Risher
Management
How to Build Employee Commitment and Improve Performance
A good place to start would be to reward goal achievement.
- Howard Risher
Management
The Business Case for Investing in Human Capital Management
The payoff will be improved agency performance—and the gains could be significant.
- Howard Risher
Management
Addressing Federal Workforce Problems Should be a Top Priority for Biden
Kiran Ahuja has her work cut out for her at the Office of Personnel Management.
- Howard Risher
Management
Why We Need to Focus on Pay Equity in Government
President Biden’s promise to “pursue a comprehensive approach to advancing equity for all” defines the goal.
- Howard Risher
Management
Setting the Stage for Improved Performance
The Biden administration has an opportunity to significantly change how government works.
- Howard Risher