**GAO-11-137**                      Published: Dec 16, 2010. Publicly Released: Dec 16, 2010.                  

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## Highlights

To improve its ability to recruit and retain federal employees, agencies have implemented a wide range of work/life programs, such as flexible work schedules, child care, and employee assistance programs. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) plays a key role in guiding federal human capital initiatives, including the implementation of work/life programs. As requested, GAO determined the extent to which: (1) OPM provides assistance and guidance to federal agencies for establishing and enhancing work/life programs; (2) OPM or the federal agencies track, evaluate, or modify work/life programs; and (3) OPM has identified leading practices in the private sector for the implementation of work/life programs and shared this information with federal agencies. To do this, GAO reviewed OPM policy and guidance; surveyed 40 federal officials--20 Chief Human Capital Officers (CHCO) and 20 work/life managers; and interviewed officials from seven private sector companies recognized for the quality of their work/life programs.

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## Topics

Government Operations

Agency evaluationChild care programsEmployee assistance programsEmployee retentionFederal agenciesFederal employeesFlexible work schedulesHuman capitalHuman capital managementMonitoringOccupational surveysPersonnel managementPersonnel recruitingPrivate sector practicesProgram evaluationInformation sharingPolicies and proceduresProgram implementation