he coronavirus pandemic has cast the government’s HR crisis into stark relief: both the public’s need for government services and the government’s future staffing needs for essential employees are uncertain. Responding to COVID-19 has also made individual expertise and credentials a front burner concern. In the new work environment individual initiative, agility and performance are highly valued. The pandemic also requires flexible and responsive staffing practices. Government is confronted with a different workforce management reality than at any time in the past.