From Hiring to Retiring: Strategies for Modernizing State Human Resources
Full Report
Executive Summary
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 27, 2014
For Additional Information Contact:
Carole D’Elia, Executive Director
(916) 445-2125
Commission Calls for Modern Approaches to State Hiring and Management
The Little Hoover Commission on Thursday sent a message to the state’s leaders: the cornerstone of quality public service is a strong, innovative workforce. The reminder was in a report released by the Commission on the state’s personnel system. In 2011, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. proposed major reforms to the California civil service system through a reorganization plan. These changes included merging and streamlining personnel operations in a new department and modernizing the state hiring system so that it is more navigable and better able to help state agencies build and maintain a longterm motivated workforce.
The reorganization plan went into effect in 2012, and in November 2013, the Commission began a review of the progress of the reforms. In its report released Thursday, the Commission found that, while the physical logistics of the reorganization have been successful, the service improvements and big-picture changes that represent the plan’s promise of reinvention remain unfinished. The Commission urged the Governor, Legislature and state human resource leaders to finish the work outlined in the reorganization plan, increase the efficiency and customer service in state processes and put into place a system that will ensure careers in state government are attainable and rewarding.
“The reorganization was an important first step,” stated Little Hoover Commission Chairman Jonathan Shapiro. “California’s leaders must recognize that they have an opportunity to inspire Californians to consider a career in state service, but in order to build a talented, lasting and innovative workforce, the state must modernize its workforce management.”
In its report, From Hiring to Retiring: Strategies for Modernizing State Human Resources, the Commission found that the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) leadership had not demonstrated the holistic skill set necessary to oversee widespread reforms. In addition, the department lagged behind expectations in the development of key planning documents and in making progress on certain reforms. The Commission called for broader leadership at CalHR with a focus on best practices in human resources management, and a system built around clear, ambitious goals and performance metrics.
The 2011 plan set as a top priority greater efficiency and improved customer service to state agencies that use the department to facilitate their personnel operations. The 2011 plan also promised to delegate certain decision-making authority directly to departments. Additionally, the plan charged the new human resources department with modernization projects such as reducing the approximately 4,000 state job classifications. The Commission found these changes need additional progress.
The Commission called for more attention to these efforts and stronger initiative among the CalHR leadership. Reforms should include collaboration and clear communication with personnel officers in state departments, employee unions, employee advocacy groups and the public, as appropriate, the Commission said. Specifically, the Commission recommended:
- CalHR and its leaders should have broad experience with best practices in human resource management to modernize the system and set and meet workforce goals. They also should demonstrate equal attention to a wide array of projects and programs.
- The CalHR director should spearhead an extensive planning process that ultimately leads to a forward-thinking strategic plan for the department.
- CalHR must prioritize delegation of human resources decision-making to line agencies, as promised, under a unified system of oversight, transparency and accountability. CalHR also must continue to improve communications with client agencies and further streamline services.
- CalHR officials and program leaders should publicize a strategy, including a timeline, for consolidating a significant number of the state’s approximately 4,000 job classifications. The strategy should include measurable landmarks for gauging progress and should be monitored regularly by the department director and publicized routinely for public awareness.
- Human resource leaders at CalHR, SPB and the Government Operations Agency, on an ongoing basis, should assess the CalHR website and state examination process with a focus on attracting and retaining a qualified and motivated workforce. These leaders should develop, with input from public employees, managers and the public, and publish a plan and timeline for improvements to the website and exams, including regular updates on progress to state personnel managers and the public.
The Little Hoover Commission is a bipartisan and independent state agency charged with recommending ways to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of state programs. The Commission’s recommendations are submitted to the Governor and the Legislature for their consideration and action. For a copy of the report, visit the Commission’s website: www.lhc.ca.gov.
Fact Sheet
Study Description
For this study, the Commission examined the results of the 2011 Government Reorganization Plan that created the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) and merged personnel-related functions within the department. That plan consolidated the California Department of Personnel Administration and certain functions of the State Personnel Board. Following that, Government Reorganization Plan No. 2 in 2012 moved CalHR into a new Government Operations Agency, providing more opportunities for improved efficiencies.
In this review, the Commission sought to understand the progress of the Governor’s 2011 reorganization that created CalHR, and to determine the extent to which the new department has made the transition into the state’s primary human resources entity. Specifically, the Commission was interested in progress toward the reorganization’s stated goals of streamlining the personnel system and improving customer service. The Commission also was interested in learning what opportunities the 2011 reorganization has created for the new Government Operations Agency, and in hearing lessons learned about change management that could be more broadly applied for future state government reorganizations or combinations.
The Commission, in its work on civil service reform, has long considered modernizing the state’s human resources function as central to improving California’s executive branch efficiency, accountability and transparency.
Previous Studies
- A Review of the Governor's Reorganization Plan to Unify and Streamline the California State Personnel System
(Report #206, June 2011)
- A Review of Government Reorganization Plan No. 2
(Report #211, May 2012)
- Serving the Public: Managing the State Workforce to Improve Outcomes
(Report #181, June 2005)
- Historic Opportunities: Transforming the California State Government
(Report #176, Dec 2004)
- Of the People, By the People: Principles for Cooperative Civil Service Reform
(Report #150, January 1999)
Agenda
Overview
In this report, the Commission urges the Governor, Legislature and state human resource leaders to finish the work outlined in the Governor’s reorganization plan of 2012, increase the efficiency and customer service in state processes and put into place a system that will ensure careers in state government are attainable and rewarding.

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March 232017Business Meeting9:00 a.m., State Capitol, Room 437, Sacramento, CABusiness MeetingAgenda
AGENDA
Business Meeting
Thursday, March 23, 2017, at 9:00 a.m.
State Capitol, Room 437
Sacramento, CA 95814
- Bruce Wilcox, Assistant Secretary, Salton Sea Policy, California Natural Resources Agency (Written Testimony)
- Christine Baker, Director, California Department of Industrial Relations (Written Testimony)
- Marybel Batjer, Secretary, Government Operations Agency (Written Testimony)
- Business Meeting Minutes from February 13 & 26, 2017
- Officer Elections
- Subcommittee Reports and Project Selection
- Implementation
- Reports from the California State Auditor’s Office
Comments Submitted by Members of the Public
- Califonia Association of Professional Scientists (Written Comments)
Public NoticePUBLIC NOTICE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 13, 2017For Additional Information Contact:
Carole D’Elia, Executive Director
(916) 445-2125Notice of Meeting
On Thursday, March 23, 2017, the Little Hoover Commission will hold a business meeting to hear updates on implementation from five Commission reports released in 2014, 2015 and 2016. The meeting will take place at 9 a.m. in Room 437 of the State Capitol.
These reports include:
- Averting Disaster: Action Now for the Salton Sea (September 2015) and Letter to Governor Brown and the Legislature on the Salton Sea (June 2016)
- Level the Playing Field: Put California’s Underground Economy Out of Business (March 2015)
- From Hiring to Retiring: Strategies for Modernizing State Human Resources (February 2014)
- A Customer-Centric Upgrade for California Government (October 2015)
Addressing the Salton Sea study will be Bruce Wilcox, Assistant Secretary for Salton Sea Policy at the California Natural Resources Agency. Discussing the underground economy study, will be Christine Baker, Director of the California Department of Industrial Relations. Regarding the civil services reform and government interactions studies, the Commission will hear from Marybel Batjer, Secretary of the Government Operations Agency. Following these updates, the Commission will conduct other business as detailed on the attached agenda.
If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Commission Executive Director Carole D’Elia at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Thursday, March 16, 2017.
Video - Bruce Wilcox, Assistant Secretary, Salton Sea Policy, California Natural Resources Agency (Written Testimony)
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November 212013Human Resources Progress Update9:30 a.m., State Capitol, Room 437, Sacramento, CAPublic HearingAgenda
AGENDA
Public Hearing on the Human Resources Progress Update
Thursday, November 21, 2013, at 9:30 a.m.
State Capitol, Room 437
Sacramento, CA
Opening RemarksVision: The Transition Process and Plans for the Future
- Marybel Batjer, Secretary, California Government Operations Agency (Written Testimony)
- Dave Rechs, former Reorganziation Specialist, Office of the Governor (Written Testimony)
After Consolidation: Everyday Operations and the Big Picture
- Julie Chapman, Director, California Department of Human Resources (Written Testimony)
- Stacie Abbott, Statewide Workforce Planning Coordinator, California Department of Human Services (Written Testimony)
Users of CalHR Services and Programs- Tina Campbell, Chief, Human Resource Services Division, Employment Development Department (Written Testimony)
- Doris Bloom, Personnel Officer, California Department of Parks & Recreation; and Co-chair, Ad Hoc Committee on Personnel (Written Testimony)
- J. Felix De La Torre, Chief Counsel, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1000
- Gerald James, Chief Counsel, Professional Engineers in California Government (PECG) (Written Testimony)
State Personnel Board After Reforms: Streamlined and Forward-Looking- Patricia Clarey, President, State Personnel Board (Written Testimony)
- Suzanne Ambrose, Executive Officer, State Personnel Board (Written Testimony)
Public Comments
Public NoticePUBLIC NOTICE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 7, 2013For Additional Information Contact:
Carole D’Elia, Executive Director (A)
(916) 445-2125Notice of Meeting
On Thursday, November 21, 2013, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing to review the progress of the state’s human resources reorganization. The hearing will begin at 9:30 a.m. in Room 437 of the State Capitol in Sacramento.
The Little Hoover Commission is examining the results of the 2011 Government Reorganization Plan that created the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) and merged personnel-related functions within the department. The Commission seeks to understand the progress toward the reorganization’s stated goals of streamlining the personnel system and improving customer service. It also is interested in learning what opportunities the 2011 reorganization has created for the new Government Operations Agency, and in hearing lessons learned about change management that could be more broadly applied for future state government reorganizations or combinations.
The Commission will hear from Secretary Marybel Batjer of the California Government Operations Agency about the strategic vision for the state’s human resources and from a former reorganization specialist from the Office of the Governor on the transition process and its broader lessons on change management. The Commission will then hear from the director of CalHR on the formation of the department, its operations and its efforts to meet the goals of the reorganization. Alongside the CalHR director, the Commission will hear from the department’s workforce planning coordinator. A panel comprising different users of state HR services will report to the Commission on their experiences after the reorganization. The perspectives of both employees and departmental human resources professionals will be represented. Lastly, a panel from the State Personnel Board will discuss the effects of the reorganization on the board and any potential reforms needed to better fulfill its mission.
There will be an opportunity for public comment at the end of the hearing. The Commission also encourages written comments.
All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s website, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Commission Acting Executive Director Carole D’Elia at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Wednesday, November 13, 2013.
Video - Marybel Batjer, Secretary, California Government Operations Agency (Written Testimony)

-
March 232017Business Meeting9:00 a.m., State Capitol, Room 437, Sacramento, CABusiness MeetingAgenda
AGENDA
Business Meeting
Thursday, March 23, 2017, at 9:00 a.m.
State Capitol, Room 437
Sacramento, CA 95814
- Bruce Wilcox, Assistant Secretary, Salton Sea Policy, California Natural Resources Agency (Written Testimony)
- Christine Baker, Director, California Department of Industrial Relations (Written Testimony)
- Marybel Batjer, Secretary, Government Operations Agency (Written Testimony)
- Business Meeting Minutes from February 13 & 26, 2017
- Officer Elections
- Subcommittee Reports and Project Selection
- Implementation
- Reports from the California State Auditor’s Office
Comments Submitted by Members of the Public
- Califonia Association of Professional Scientists (Written Comments)
Public NoticePUBLIC NOTICE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 13, 2017For Additional Information Contact:
Carole D’Elia, Executive Director
(916) 445-2125Notice of Meeting
On Thursday, March 23, 2017, the Little Hoover Commission will hold a business meeting to hear updates on implementation from five Commission reports released in 2014, 2015 and 2016. The meeting will take place at 9 a.m. in Room 437 of the State Capitol.
These reports include:
- Averting Disaster: Action Now for the Salton Sea (September 2015) and Letter to Governor Brown and the Legislature on the Salton Sea (June 2016)
- Level the Playing Field: Put California’s Underground Economy Out of Business (March 2015)
- From Hiring to Retiring: Strategies for Modernizing State Human Resources (February 2014)
- A Customer-Centric Upgrade for California Government (October 2015)
Addressing the Salton Sea study will be Bruce Wilcox, Assistant Secretary for Salton Sea Policy at the California Natural Resources Agency. Discussing the underground economy study, will be Christine Baker, Director of the California Department of Industrial Relations. Regarding the civil services reform and government interactions studies, the Commission will hear from Marybel Batjer, Secretary of the Government Operations Agency. Following these updates, the Commission will conduct other business as detailed on the attached agenda.
If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Commission Executive Director Carole D’Elia at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Thursday, March 16, 2017.
Video - Bruce Wilcox, Assistant Secretary, Salton Sea Policy, California Natural Resources Agency (Written Testimony)
-
November 212013Human Resources Progress Update9:30 a.m., State Capitol, Room 437, Sacramento, CAPublic HearingAgenda
AGENDA
Public Hearing on the Human Resources Progress Update
Thursday, November 21, 2013, at 9:30 a.m.
State Capitol, Room 437
Sacramento, CA
Opening RemarksVision: The Transition Process and Plans for the Future
- Marybel Batjer, Secretary, California Government Operations Agency (Written Testimony)
- Dave Rechs, former Reorganziation Specialist, Office of the Governor (Written Testimony)
After Consolidation: Everyday Operations and the Big Picture
- Julie Chapman, Director, California Department of Human Resources (Written Testimony)
- Stacie Abbott, Statewide Workforce Planning Coordinator, California Department of Human Services (Written Testimony)
Users of CalHR Services and Programs- Tina Campbell, Chief, Human Resource Services Division, Employment Development Department (Written Testimony)
- Doris Bloom, Personnel Officer, California Department of Parks & Recreation; and Co-chair, Ad Hoc Committee on Personnel (Written Testimony)
- J. Felix De La Torre, Chief Counsel, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1000
- Gerald James, Chief Counsel, Professional Engineers in California Government (PECG) (Written Testimony)
State Personnel Board After Reforms: Streamlined and Forward-Looking- Patricia Clarey, President, State Personnel Board (Written Testimony)
- Suzanne Ambrose, Executive Officer, State Personnel Board (Written Testimony)
Public Comments
Public NoticePUBLIC NOTICE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 7, 2013For Additional Information Contact:
Carole D’Elia, Executive Director (A)
(916) 445-2125Notice of Meeting
On Thursday, November 21, 2013, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing to review the progress of the state’s human resources reorganization. The hearing will begin at 9:30 a.m. in Room 437 of the State Capitol in Sacramento.
The Little Hoover Commission is examining the results of the 2011 Government Reorganization Plan that created the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) and merged personnel-related functions within the department. The Commission seeks to understand the progress toward the reorganization’s stated goals of streamlining the personnel system and improving customer service. It also is interested in learning what opportunities the 2011 reorganization has created for the new Government Operations Agency, and in hearing lessons learned about change management that could be more broadly applied for future state government reorganizations or combinations.
The Commission will hear from Secretary Marybel Batjer of the California Government Operations Agency about the strategic vision for the state’s human resources and from a former reorganization specialist from the Office of the Governor on the transition process and its broader lessons on change management. The Commission will then hear from the director of CalHR on the formation of the department, its operations and its efforts to meet the goals of the reorganization. Alongside the CalHR director, the Commission will hear from the department’s workforce planning coordinator. A panel comprising different users of state HR services will report to the Commission on their experiences after the reorganization. The perspectives of both employees and departmental human resources professionals will be represented. Lastly, a panel from the State Personnel Board will discuss the effects of the reorganization on the board and any potential reforms needed to better fulfill its mission.
There will be an opportunity for public comment at the end of the hearing. The Commission also encourages written comments.
All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s website, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Commission Acting Executive Director Carole D’Elia at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Wednesday, November 13, 2013.
Video - Marybel Batjer, Secretary, California Government Operations Agency (Written Testimony)