MSPB Issues New Research Agenda, First Since Regaining a Quorum

The Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) has issued its first research agenda since reaching a quorum earlier this year. The agenda outlines research objectives for the years 2022 through 2026. The agenda spans 44 topics divided into the following categories: (1) defending merit; (2) building an effective workforce; (3) recruitment and hiring; (4) pay and performance management; (5) supervision and leadership; and (6) a focus on the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).

The proposed agenda contains a greater number of topics than the MSPB's Office of Policy and Evaluation (OPE) can cover, given its current resource and staffing levels. The Board will consider the remaining topics in future research agendas. The agenda is also not exhaustive, as studies on new topics may be initiated based on recommendations from OPE or the Board.

Topics denoted with (*) will be prioritized in the work planning process based on staff capacity and capability, as well as available resources. Projects denoted by (†) refer to several projects currently underway that OPE began in anticipation of the members’ arrival.

Defending Merit

In the federal civil service, merit system principles and prohibited personnel practices govern management. As such, OPE will research topics related to principles, issues, or practices that are fundamental to a merit system.

Research topics include:

• The Merit System Principles—A Health Check * †

• Preventing and Redressing Prohibited Personnel Practices * †

• Sexual Harassment in the Federal Workplace: A Progress Report * †

• Civil Service Employee Protections *

• Fair and Equitable Treatment in the Federal Workforce: An Update *

• Modernizing Federal Personnel Systems *

• Aggression and Violence in the Federal Workplace †

Building an Effective Workforce

According to the research agenda, it became evident during the COVID-19 pandemic that workplace flexibility was essential to balancing work and family responsibilities; the pandemic also revealed the importance of skills gaps in workforce planning. OPE will study how agencies are aligning workplace flexibility with the future of work to ensure they maintain a diverse, highly qualified workforce.

Research topics include:

• Aligning Workplace Flexibilities with the Future of Work *

• How Does Technology Affect the Work of Federal Employees? *

• Workforce Restructuring Rules and Merit-Based Principles *

• Preparing the HR Workforce for the Present and Future †

• Identifying and Filling Employee Skills Gaps

• A Closer Look at Employee Retention

• An Evaluation of Traditional Workplace Benefit Programs

Recruitment and Hiring

The research agenda suggests that a fair, effective, and efficient hiring process is essential to a merit-based, high-quality workforce; however, it's no secret the federal government continues to face major human capital challenges as it competes for talent.

As such, OPE intends to reevaluate the following:

• Fair and Open Competition—Practices and Challenges *

• How Do Hiring Officials Decide Who Gets the Job? *

• Are Federal Vacancy Announcements Accurate and Effective? †

Pay and Performance Management

MSPB noted that federal position descriptions and classification systems were developed decades ago in an entirely different working environment. For the MSPB, an evaluation of a position's responsibilities and requirements is paramount to achieving merit system principles.

OPE will tackle issues such as:

• Correcting Employee Performance and Conduct *

• Federal Pay Systems: Experience Outside the General Schedule

• Performance Appraisal Policies, Applications, and Systems

• Improving and Recognizing Employee Performance

Supervision and Leadership

The MSPB has found that supervisory selection practices often emphasize technical qualifications more than the skills needed to lead people and programs.

With this in mind, OPE will examine:

• Selection and Management of Federal Supervisors *

• Understanding the Roles of Teams and Team Leaders *

• Dual Career Paths for Supervisors and Technical Specialists *

• Management of the Senior Executive Service

Focus on OPM

According to MSPB, the staffing requirements and missions of OPM and other federal agencies have evolved significantly since the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978. As federal service has evolved, there has been debate over the appropriate role and authority of a central personnel agency, as well as diverse views of compliance and accountability.

As such, OPE intends to examine:

• OPM Oversight of Delegated Authorities and Responsibilities *

• The Role of a Central Human Resources Authority

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