{"id":40917,"date":"2023-06-23T16:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-06-23T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/uncategorized\/2023\/06\/23\/lawmakers-push-to-make-it-easier-to-discipline-fire-va-workers\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T05:08:34","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T05:08:34","slug":"lawmakers-push-to-make-it-easier-to-discipline-fire-va-workers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/veterans\/2023\/06\/23\/lawmakers-push-to-make-it-easier-to-discipline-fire-va-workers\/","title":{"rendered":"Lawmakers push to make it easier to discipline, fire VA workers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs leaders would be able to demote and fire problematic workers<\/a> more quickly under new accountability rules proposed by a group of lawmakers on Friday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The move comes in response to federal rulings against previous attempts to streamline disciplinary actions against VA staff,<\/a> and in response to concerns from department leadership about using already approved authorities for those personnel decisions. Supporters say the move is needed to ensure that poor-performing workers<\/a> aren\u2019t hurting customer service and staff morale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhile the VA employs some of the finest men and women, it only takes a few bad employees to disrupt the culture and service at the VA, which negatively impacts veterans,\u201d Senate Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee ranking member Jerry Moran<\/a>, R-Kansas, said in a statement announcing the new legislation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cVeterans are best served when VA leaders have the ability to swiftly take action to remove bad employees in order to maintain a healthy workplace and, more importantly, provide quality services for our veterans.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t