VA discloses employee firings and disciplinary actions online to public
August 08, 2017
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in July posted an online list of adverse actions taken against employees this year including demotions, suspensions and removals. It marked the first time such information was shared publicly.
VA officials described the list as an effort to increase transparency in the department. The list shows that disciplinary actions were taken against around 800 VA employees since President Donald Trump took office in January. Up until the beginning of July, the department fired 525 staffers including housekeepers, doctors and nurses.
Along with the type of adverse actions taken, the list discloses each employee’s position as well as the VA office or area in which they worked. Names are not included due to privacy reasons. The list will be updated weekly. According to VA Secretary David Shulkin, the VA is the first federal agency to make such data public.
“Veterans and taxpayers have a right to know what we’re doing to hold our employees accountable and make our personnel actions transparent,” Shulkin said in written statement. “Posting this information online for all to see [will] … shine a light on the actions we’re taking to reform the culture at VA.”
The initiative is part of the recently established VA Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection. The legislation provides Shulkin with enhanced disciplinary powers in an effort to quickly root out underperforming employees and tackle the department’s perceived culture of corruption. It establishes more repercussions and a faster firing process for VA employees.
Shulkin also announced that the VA would now require the approval of a senior department official for employee settlement agreements in excess of $5,000. He said the VA would enter a settlement with employees only when they have been wronged or if such an agreement is in the best interests of veterans and taxpayers.