Source: http://adenverlawyer.com/2011/03/31/merit-system-principle-3-equal-pay/
Timestamp: 2018-01-16 19:10:16
Document Index: 353496681

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 5301', '§ 5304', '§ 5304', '§ 5347', '§ 4302', 'art 451']

Merit System Principles #3 - Equal Pay
http://adenverlawyer.com/wp-content/themes/blade/images/empty/thumbnail.jpg 150 150 Gregory A. Hall Gregory A. Hall http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/?s=96&d=mm&r=g March 31, 2011 March 31, 2011
There are nine merit system principles which set forth the standards that govern the management and hiring practices of the executive branch workforce. The Merit Systems Protection Board (“MSPB”) is the Agency responsible for adjudicating employee complaints that a federal agency has committed a prohibited personnel practice. For more information about filing a MSPB appeal, visit http://www.mspb.gov/appeals/appeals.htm
“Equal pay should be provided for work of equal value, with appropriate consideration of both national and local rates paid by employers in the private sector, and appropriate incentives and recognition should be provided for excellence in performance.”
What is the intent behind the third Merit System Principle? The third Merit System Principle embodies the vision that maintaining equitable salaries and rewarding excellent performance will attract and retain the most effective and efficient federal workforce through positive employee engagement.
What does it mean to give “appropriate consideration [to] both national and local rates paid by employers in the private sector”?
Congress has codified its policy that federal pay rates be comparable with non-federal pay rates for the same levels of work within the same local pay area, except when the President provides for an alternative level of payment due to a national emergency or other serious economic condition. 5 U.S.C. §§ 5301(3-4), 5304(a), 5341. The President establishes rates of pay within localities with the advice of his Pay Agent, designated under 5 U.S.C. § 5304(d)(1). The Pay Agent, in turn, receives salary recommendations from the President’s Federal Salary Council, established under 5 U.S.C. § 5304(e)(1), and the Federal Prevailing Rate Advisory Committee, established under 5 U.S.C. § 5347(a). The Federal Salary Council evaluates surveys conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics of salary data for non-federal jobs throughout the country. The Federal Prevailing Rate Advisory Committee surveys private employers, at least every two years, to determine the prevailing wage in designated regions throughout the country.
Yes. In its recent study entitled “Fair and Equitable Treatment: Progress Made and Challenges Remaining,” the MSPB analyzed pay and status issues at pages 21-28. The MSPB concluded that while trends are improving, there remain disparities in salary levels for minority groups, principally due to their under-representation in certain higher paying occupations and managerial positions.
Why is it important to recognize excellent performance?
During debate on the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, then-Senator Joe Biden stated that “the most important part of civil service reform must be to motivate good employee performance.” S. Rep. No. 969, at 1718 (1978). Indeed, in the MSPB’s recent study entitled “Managing for Engagement– Communication, Connection, and Courage,” the MSPB concluded at pages 43-58 that recognition of employees’ performance contributions is one of the key “drivers” of positive employee engagement and retention.
In what ways do federal agencies reward excellent performance?
Agencies must construct performance appraisal systems for their employees through which performance may be recognized by granting within-grade salary increases, career ladder promotions, or other awards. See 5 U.S.C. § 4302. Agencies must maintain an incentive awards program which recognizes and provides various types of awards to individual civil service employees whose significant contributions improve government performance. 5 U.S.C. Chapter 45; 5 C.F.R. Part 451. These types of awards include performance-based cash and time-off awards, special act awards, awards for beneficial suggestions, and recommendations for Presidential awards.
What is the MSPB’s adjudicatory role in the performance recognition process?
To talk to a lawyer about a potential MSPB appeal, contact Attorney Gregory A. Hall at: