Federal Supervisor Training Act of 2016

“(a) Definitions—For purposes of this section—

“(1) the term program means any activity, project, function, or policy that has an identifiable purpose or set of objectives; and

“(2) the term supervisor means—

“(A) a supervisor, as defined under section 7103(a)(10);

“(B) a management official, as defined under section 7103(a)(11); or

“(C) any other employee as the Director of the Office of Personnel Management may by regulation prescribe.”

“(2) a program—

“(A) to require supervisors to have individual development plans that provide for training on actions, options, and strategies a supervisor may use in—

“(i) developing and discussing relevant performance goals and objectives with the employee and ensuring the performance goals and objectives align to the mission and priority goals of the agency;

“(ii) communicating and discussing progress relative to performance goals and objectives, and conducting performance appraisals;

“(iii) mentoring and motivating employees and improving employee engagement, performance, and productivity;

“(iv) fostering a work environment characterized by fairness, respect, equal opportunity, and attention paid to the merit of the work of employees;

“(v) effectively managing employees with unacceptable performance, including training to understand the disciplinary options and procedures available to the supervisor;

“(vi) effectively using the probationary period to examine whether an employee has demonstrated successful performance or conduct to continue past the probationary period;

“(vii) addressing reports of a hostile work environment, retaliation, or harassment of, or by, another supervisor or employee;

“(viii) meeting supervisor competencies established by the Office of Personnel Management or the employing agency of the supervisor;

“(ix) collaborating with human resources employees to recruit, select, appraise, and reward employees to build a workforce based on organizational goals, budget considerations, and staffing needs; and

“(x) otherwise carrying out the duties or responsibilities of a supervisor;

“(B) to provide training to supervisors on the prohibited personnel practices under section 2302 (particularly with respect to such practices described under paragraphs (1) and (8) of subsection (b) of that section), employee rights, and the procedures and processes used to enforce employee rights; and

“(C) under which experienced supervisor mentors are identified, evaluated, and approved to provide guidance and advice to new or underperforming supervisors to—

“(i) transfer knowledge and advice in areas such as communication, critical thinking, responsibility, flexibility, motivating and engaging employees, teamwork, leadership, and professional development; and

“(ii) identify strengths and areas for development.

“(c) Requirements for training design—Training in the program components established under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection (b)(2) shall—

“(1) be designed using principles of adult learning and an industry standard instructional design model; and

“(2) to the extent practicable, as determined by the agency, be training that is instructor-based.

“(d) Timing of training

“(1) Initial training

“(A) In general—Not later than 1 year after the date on which an individual is appointed to the position of supervisor, that individual shall be required to have completed each program component established under subsection (b)(2).

“(B) Extensions—The Director of the Office of Personnel Management may establish and administer procedures under which an agency may extend the 1-year period described under subparagraph (A) with respect to an individual.

“(2) Subsequent training—After completion of a program component under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection (b)(2), each supervisor shall be required to complete a program component under such subparagraphs not less frequently than once every 3 years.

“(3) Credit for similar training—Each program component established under subsection (b)(2) shall include provisions under which the agency gives a supervisor credit toward a period of training that the agency determines is similar to training that the supervisor previously completed.

“(4) Effectiveness evaluation—Each agency shall measure the effectiveness of training program components established under subsection (b)(2).

“(e) Information on developmental opportunities—An agency shall make available to each supervisor—

“(1) a detailed list of developmental opportunities available to the supervisor; and

“(2) the policies of the agency for requiring supervisor development.

“(f) Regulations—Notwithstanding section 4118(c), the Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall prescribe regulations to carry out this section, including the monitoring of agency compliance with this section. Regulations prescribed under this subsection shall include measures by which to assess the effectiveness of agency supervisor training programs.”

“4305. Management competencies

“(a) Definition—In this section, the term supervisor means—

“(1) a supervisor, as defined under section 7103(a)(10);

“(2) a management official, as defined under section 7103(a)(11); or

“(3) any other employee as the Director of the Office of Personnel Management may by regulation prescribe.

“(b) Guidance—The Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall issue guidance to agencies on competencies supervisors are expected to meet in order to effectively manage, and be accountable for managing, the performance of employees.

“(c) Assessment by agencies—Based on guidance issued under subsection (b) and on any additional competencies developed by an agency, each agency shall assess the performance of the supervisors and the overall capacity of the supervisors in that agency.

“(d) Reports—Every year, or on any basis requested by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, each agency shall submit to the Office of Personnel Management a report on the progress of the agency in implementing this section, including measures used to assess program effectiveness.”