Overview of the Office of Personnel Management

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Introduction

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management oversees human resources management for the Federal government. As the leader in human resources management, we develop policies, in cooperation with Federal agencies and other stakeholders, so that agencies can recruit, hire, and retain workforces best suited to their missions. We oversee the Governmentwide implementation of these policies so that agencies uphold national values that are embodied in law -- including merit principles and veterans' preference. We manage Governmentwide systems that support agencies and their employees by administering retirement, insurance, and other benefit systems for Federal employees and annuitants. Also, we administer Governmentwide compensation systems and maintain automated information systems that are used to inform the public of Federal employment opportunities and provide information to decision makers and the public about the nature and size of the current Federal workforce. In addition, we provide a wide range of human resources management advice, assistance, and other services to the agencies.

As the President's agent and advisor for operating and continuously improving the Government's human resources management (HRM) systems, we have been entrusted by Congress and the public with regulating these systems and administering Governmentwide programs.

Our Current Role

The people at OPM --

• provide leadership to strengthen human resources management throughout the Government
• help set human resources management rules with agencies' involvement
• protect the merit system and veterans' rights through oversight
• help agencies recruit nationwide
• support agencies in merit-based candidate assessment and hiring
• support agencies in workforce restructuring
• ensure the suitability of Federal employees and provide for personnel investigations
• promote executive leadership for a results-oriented Government
• provide Governmentwide human resources development leadership and policy
• deliver executive and management development and training for the Government's leaders
• operate the retirement program for Federal employees, the largest program in the Nation
• manage Federal employee health and life insurance programs
• administer the systems for setting Federal compensation and benefits
• provide tools for effective employee performance management
• promote effective labor-management and employee relations
• enhance the ability of Federal employees to balance work and personal responsibilities
• enhance and administer the Government's family-friendly leave programs
• advance Governmentwide automation of HRM systems
• manage a comprehensive workforce information system
• seek improvement through innovative HRM projects
• provide financial management and oversight of the employee benefit trust funds