A federal government agency had recently received notice that its performance plans were not in compliance with Departmental performance management regulations.
Three standard performance plans were used to cover approximately 400 employees, representing about half of the agency’s workforce:
- One of the standard plans was used for employees that ranged in federal grade level from GS-5 to GS-12, representing a wide range of professional experience and corresponding job performance expectations
- Standard plans were used for employees with similar job titles but different job responsibilities and performance expectations
- Employees with the standard plans were located across the United States in 12 field offices, with each office having slightly different job responsibilities for its employees
Employees were confused by the performance plans because the standards included in those plans were vague and did not reflect their actual job responsibilities.