Defense Department labs have had a tough time holding on to scientists and engineers. And a big reason why is the stilted civil service hiring and promotion system, which turns recruiting new employees, and paying top performers, into near-Herculean feats.
All of this may change soon, Government Executive reports. The Defense Department has proposed eliminating the leaden "General Schedule" personnel plan, and replacing it with something a bit more sensible; merit pay, for example, instead of compensation based on rigid seniority levels.
Not surprisingly, public employee union officials are already voicing their displeasure. Jacqueline Simon, with the American Federation of Government Employees, says she's "wary about pay-for-performance."
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