Some congressional offices have no formal system for personnel management. Job descriptions are sketchy, staff performance is seldom formally evaluated , and pay increases are not awarded on any measurable, performance-based system. Having no personnel system invites numerous management problems and potential legal and political problems. Important matters fall through the cracks because staffers don't know who has which responsibilities.
Tension develops because responsibilities appear to overlap.
Staffers are uncertain about how to improve their job performance because they do not get enough feedback. Staffers feel that the pay increase process is unfair because they do not understand the basis for it. The Member is more vulnerable to charges of unfair employment practices because documentation of personnel policies and decisions does not exist. Freshman hiring advice Veteran hiring advice Interviewing Average salaries Developing job descriptions A crucial feature of a personnel management system is job descriptions. Important matters can be overlooked if staff are uncertain of their responsibilities.