Government Executive magazine has released an article on a Senate Committee’s actions on two bills. The article reports on the Federal Hiring Process Improvement Act and the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act (WPEA) (which has been a hot topic on this blog this week).
The Federal Hiring Process Improvement Act eliminates essay requirements in favor of resumes and cover letters. It also requires federal agencies to simplify job postings and keep applicants informed about the status of their applications.
As to the WPEA, the article notes that the Senate Committee approved jury trials for federal whistleblowers for the first time, but notes the concerns of whistleblower advocates. Stephen M. Kohn, executive director of the National Whistleblowers Center (NWC), expressed disappointment over the bill: "The Senate did the right thing in putting forward a provision, which permits federal employees to remove their cases to federal court. However, we hope the procedural and substantive limitations on these fundamental due process rights will be removed as the bill proceeds," he told Government Executive. NWC has established web pages for information and taking action on the WPEA.