| Comment Number: | EM-001266 |
| Received: | 2/19/2005 10:42:19 AM |
| Subject: | Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Request for Comment |
| Title: | National Security Personnel System |
| CFR Citation: | 5 CFR Chapter XCIX and Part 9901 |
| No Attachments |
Comments:
February 19, 2005 DoD NSPS Comments , DoD NSPS Comments: I write to express my concerns about changes to work rules in the Department of Defense (DoD). The proposed regulations, known as the National Security Personnel System (NSPS), were printed in the Federal Register on February 14, 2005. This message will be sent to both DoD and my representatives in Congress. I have worked for DSCP (Defense Supply Center Philadelphia) for four years. I was hired as a Corporate Intern via the Outstanding Scholar Program. I fully met the academic requirements of my undergraduate GPA being 3.9. My graduate (MBA) GPA was 3.6. Unfortunately, due to the lack of accountability and failure of the various agencies involved (namely, DLA and DSCP), coupled with the indifference and failure to provide the necessary tools to both train and develop employees at the frontline management level, I have fallen victim of the current system. I fail to see how the revised agenda will ensure that such a predicament ever happens again. I find myself in a catch 22 situation with limited options. After working so hard and investing four years of my adult life (I was out of high school over twenty years when I elected to earn my college degrees). In an effort to parlay this horrendous experience into something constructive so as to salvage whatever professional reputation I have left, I have decided to enroll in yet another graduate program at La Salle University - Professional Communications with a concentration in Organizational communication. Given the above I am angry that the new proposals pose to sanction the continued ill treament of those employees who strive to give their best to the career positions in which they were hired only to have their futures thrwarted by unqualified supervisors who play favorites and reward employees based on a herd mentality. Although it is classiefied as a white collar workforce, DSCP is nothing more than a glorified assembly line that has a fully engrained factory mentality. Most DoD employees work hard and are committed. I believe that continued mistreatment will hurt the agency?s mission. I am very upset by NSPS. This system will change the way in which workers are paid, evaluated, promoted, fired, treated, and scheduled. The rules outlined in the proposal are guaranteed to further sanction a system in which federal managers are influenced by favoritism rather than serving the civil concerns of both empoyees and the American people. Annual pay raises under the Gen'l Schedule and FWS, employee pay is clear. Funded by Congress, it cannot be taken away. However, NSPS will take away this certainty. Salaries and bonuses are funded by DoD. DoD has not funded its awards program as recently as last year. How can newer employees, such as myself, expect to achieve mobility in a system that has long fallen short in such crucial areas, in particular, training and mentoring programs - let alone be provided fair salaries and bonuses? Furthermore, the new patronage pay system that DoD prefers to refer to as ?pay for performance,? a worker's salary stands to depend almost completely on the personal judgment of his or her manager. In my case, this situation aleardy apploes. As it stands now, it will force workers to compete with one another for pay raises that will continue to erode the lack of teamwork that already prevails, at least at DSCP, increase conflict among the already contentious atmosphere that permeates that facility, and reward short-term outcomes. There is no guarantee that even the best workers will receive a pay raise or the one offered will be fair or competitive. This system will create a situation in which workers are in conflict with one another and afraid to speak out about harassment, violations of the law, and workplace safety issues. There will also be no impartial appeal system to assure everyone is treated fairly. NSPS will further allow managers to schedule employees to work with-out sufficient notice. It also means that abusive managers will continue to harass employees with short notice or bad scheduling. Again, I wish to call to your attention my particular situation. America is at war and is fighting for democracy abroad. The proposed regulations are an attack on our basic rights. Furthermore, NSPS will divert the attention of defense workers from the soldiers? welfare to protecting themselves from abuse on the job. I urge you to force DoD to rethink this proposal. What is needed are work rules that are committed to developing potential, preserve fairness, serve the American people, and respect the rights of Defense Department workers. Sincerely,