Improving First-Line Supervisors

Federal agencies are falling short when it comes to selecting, training and supporting first-level supervisors, according to a new report.

The report, released Wednesday by the Merit Systems Protection Board, found that federal agency practices in four critical areas - selection, training and development, guidance and support and accountability - are inadequate for first-level supervisors. For example, MSPB found that federal agencies often provide minimal or no information about supervisory responsibilities in job announcements, use ineffective methods to assess candidates and select candidates based on technical expertise rather than supervisory skill or potential. Many supervisors also reported that training and development programs are inadequate, MSPB found.

The report comes as Congress considers legislation that would establish basic training standards for federal managers and supervisors.

First-level supervisors are the bridge between agency leadership and front-line employees, and they play a key role in supporting new ideas and ensuring employees are engaged. Is your agency falling short when it comes to grooming first-level supervisors? How has this impacted its ability to recruit and retain IT workers as well as roll out new ideas and initiatives, including telework and Gov 2.0 technologies?