Inclusive AbundanceInclusive Abundance
Abundance in Action
  • Published Work
  • Abundance Landscape
Back
Institutional Innovation
10/28/2024

Holding Poor Performers Accountable Can Lead to Better Government

By Jenny Mattingley, Government Executive
Holding Poor Performers Accountable Can Lead to Better Government

Holding Poor Performers Accountable Can Lead to Better Government

"A government viewed as unresponsive to the public will never fully gain its trust and meet its needs."


What It’s About

Mattingley examines the shortcomings of federal employee performance management and argues that today procedures make it unnecessarily difficult to manage or remove underperforming staff. Making suggestions for reform, she turns to best practices from the private sector for inspiration. 

Upshot

Mattingley calls for:

  • Stronger Managerial Tools: Equip federal supervisors with performance metrics, training, and streamlined disciplinary processes to manage underperformance effectively
  • Probationary Periods as Critical Checks: Mandate thorough performance reviews during probationary periods to quickly identify and address performance gaps, rather than automatically granting permanent status
  • Simplified Accountability Procedures: Centralize and simplify complaint and appeals processes, providing quicker resolutions that are transparent and fair

Read the Full Article

Why It Matters

Poor performance in public sector jobs drains resources, undermines delivery, and erodes public confidence. Mattingley's work on the remediation toolkit for underperformers complements the Abundance Agenda's focus on more skills-based hiring in the public sector. 

Who Wrote It

Jenny Mattingley is the vice president for government affairs at the Partnership for Public Service.

Related Innovator

Jenny Mattingley
Jenny Mattingley
Inclusive Abundance

Contact Details

PO Box 5064
Greenwich, CT 06831
info@inclusiveabundance.org

© 2025 Inclusive Abundance Initiative. This is the website of the Inclusive Abundance Initiative, a 501(c)(3) organization (EIN: 93-3864714). All rights reserved.
For more information about Inclusive Abundance Action, our affiliated 501(c)(4), reach out to info@inclusiveabundance.org
Terms of UsePrivacy Policy