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FPCD-83-15 1 (1982-12-22)

handle is hein.gao/gaobabmtc0001 and id is 1 raw text is: *UNITED STATES GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE WASHINGTON, D.C. 20548 FEDERAL PERSONNEL AND COMPENSATION DIVISION B-208668 DECEMBER 22,1982 The Honorable Donald J. Devine Director, Office of Personnel 1110 Management 120180 Dear Dr. Devine: Subject: Agency Administrative Systems Need Attention (GAO/FPCD-83-15) We have completed a review of administrative grievance sys- tems at selected Federal agencies and found some shortcomings which could lessen the effectiveness of the grievance proce- dures. These are (1) untimely processing of grievances by agencies and (2) lack of formal systematic methods to determine how well the systems operate. BACKGROUND Title 5, Code of Federal Regulations, part 771, as promul- gated by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), requires Fed- eral agencies to establish, publicize, and administer a griev- ance system generally for nonbargaining unit employees. The system is available to covered employees for personal relief in any matter of concern or dissatisfaction which is subject to the control of agency management, such as poor working conditions, failure to follow rules and regulations, short-term suspensions, changes in official assignments, and nonselection for training opportunities. Federal agencies are allowed flexibility in establishing administrative grievance procedures to suit their particular conditions and characteristics. The typical grievance system, in the agencies we reviewed, included an informal discussion be- tween the employee and the immediate supervisor. If the griev- ance was not resolved through informal discussion, it proceeded through a sequence of steps for review and response by progres- sively higher levels of management. If the grievance remained unresolved, the matter was decided by a top management official, and this decision was final. (966054)