Expand federal merit pay / pay-for-performance across the workforce
Mandate pushes restoring and expanding merit pay beyond SES/managers so compensation tracks performance ratings rather than seniority, using existing awards strategically pending legislation.
Mandate
Mandate Ch. 3 (Central Personnel Agencies) — Merit Pay: despite early merit-pay efforts, compensation still primarily seniority-based; reinstate federal merit pay for managers and distribute SES ratings meaningfully; extend program to remainder of workforce; meanwhile political executives should use pay and awards strategically.
Undo plan
1) Pause or reverse pay schemes that weaponize ratings inflation or political scoring.
2) Redesign performance pay with transparent, bargained criteria and appeal rights.
3) Address rating compression through managerial training—not forced distribution quotas alone.
4) Protect locality and statutory pay floors from arbitrary ‘merit’ cuts.
5) Verify: GAO review of pay-for-performance disparities and discrimination complaints.