Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Catherine Emerson...latest on the hot seat
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has a human resources problem, both in terms of leadership and espirit de corps.
Things are so bad at DHS that a congressional hearing was held to discuss the matter. But when the House Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations and Management convened their witnesses, no one bothered to invite any actual employees to tell why their agency ranks near the bottom in the federal workforce as a good place to work.
Numbers were tossed about, like how only 37% of DHS workers believe management motivates them and only 37% are satisfied with the policies and practices of senior leadership.
Another point of discussion was why the agency has had so much turnover in its top human resources position, the chief human capital officer. Since being created in 2003, DHS has had eight people in the post, with each lasting an average of about 13 months.
The current chief human capital officer, Catherine Emerson, was appointed August 4, 2011.
-Noel Brinkerhoff
To Learn More:
Homeland Security’s Morale is at Code Red (by Joe Davidson, Washington Post)
DHS Morale Scrutinized at Hearing (by David Perera, Fierce Homeland Security)
Subcommittee Hearing: Building One DHS: Why is Employee Morale Low? (Committee on Homeland Security)
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