Report provides look at SES pay

November 2, 2008 12:36 am

WHEN YOU are a general- schedule federal worker, it is very easy to figure out what you or you co-workers earn. If you are looking at the Senior Executive Service, which was set up to pay and reward the government's most senior decision-makers, it is much more difficult.

But once a year the Office of Personnel Management gives everyone a glimpse at the performance enhancements and pay of this elite corps.

The OPM just released its "Report on Senior Executive Service Pay for Performance for Fiscal Year 2007."

Government-wide, more than 46 percent of SES members reported annual salaries of over $157,000.

Last year, the average salary increase for SES members was 3.5 percent, and more than 60 percent were satisfied with their pay.

Overall, almost 5,000 SES members received performance awards, and over 72 percent were satisfied with the recognition they received.

When it comes to rating performance, the top four departments for giving the highest SES appraisals are the Departments of State (71 percent), Justice (69 percent), Health and Human Services (66 percent) and Housing and Urban Development (63 percent). This equated to average performance awards at State of almost $11,000, at Justice of just over $15,000, at HHS of over $12,000 and at HUD of just under $10,000.

In a survey of more than 7,000 SES members, 93 percent said pay should be based on performance. Some 67 percent of these executives were satisfied with the recognition they received, and 72 percent felt their bonuses were linked to their appraisals.

TELEWORK

As the costs of commuting rise and the hours spent in transit soar, the Telework Exchange, a public-private partnership on telework, found that 82 percent of federal workers spend work time outside of the office each month.

Based on an online survey of almost 500 federal workers, the exchange indicated that only 18 percent of federal workers work from their office all day, every day. Forty-two percent telework at least part of the time, and 20 percent of federal office workers report spending at least a portion of two days a week outside of the office.

The Telework Exchange estimates that by increasing the use of mobile technologies (smart phones), the federal government could save $37 million in additional productivity each day.

The survey audience was 44 percent male and 56 percent female. Eighty-one percent were GS-12s or above.

RETIREE COLA

The 2008 cost-of-living increase for federal retirees will be the highest since 1982. This year, retirees and survivors under the Civil Service Retirement System will see a 5.8 percent boost, and Federal Employees Retirement System retirees and survivors get a 4.8 percent increase. FERS annuitants will also see a 5.8 percent adjustment in their Social Security benefits. The increases are effective Dec. 1 and will be reflected in January's annuity payments.

In closing, don't forget to get out and vote on Tuesday. It's your right and your responsibility!

Kevin Wilkinson of Spotsylvania County is a veteran federal employee. Write him c/o Federal Feedback, The Free Lance-Star, 616 Amelia St., Fredericksburg, Va. 22401. Or e-mail
Email: kwlknsn@yahoo.com.