Comment Number: EM-017415
Received: 3/9/2005 5:15:00 PM
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:

"Comments on Proposed NSPS Regulations--RIN 3206-AK76/0790-AH82." _____ American Federation of Government Employees Council 220 Employee Survey on New Performance Standards Union contract negotiators need your help. We are currently bargaining over new performance standards for employees in our new contract. Performance standards state the level of performance employees must achieve to qualify for an appraisal rating, WIGIs, promotions, awards and whether an employee is demoted or fired based on performance. SSA wants a system that allows your supervisor to create numeric performance standards that each employee in the unit must meet to keep her/his job. Years ago, SSA and AFGE agreed not to use numeric standards because management was playing with statistics to show their office/area/region in the best possible light. Congress found that SSA's manipulation of statistics was not in the public interest. Statistical misuse and cheating has continued in spite of the contract ban on numerics. Management now wants to use numerics at the individual employee level as a basis for your appraisal. Cheating results in a loss of quality and a reduction in staffing. The union is concerned that numeric standards will harm morale & increase employee stress and competition. Please answer the following questions and forward the survey to Winky New at Winky.New@ssa.gov or wnew@woh.rr.com or by fax to (937) 773-8919 by February 5. YOUR RESPONSES ARE IMPORTANT! AFGE wants to collect information about the agency's use of statistics, goals and productivity measures to help the union negotiators formulate and defend proposals at the bargaining table. We will publish the results in UNITY. Instructions: For each of the following statements, click whether you disagree or agree: 0 means "Disagree Strongly" 1 means "Disagree" 2 means "No Opinion" 3 means "Agree" 4 means "Agree Strongly" 1. My supervisor has consistently expressed a commitment to quality. Check10 Check21 Check32 Check43 Check54 2. SSA promotes the following values and priorities. (Rate the emphasis management places on the following values/priorities with 0 = least, 4 = most for this question only) a. Service to the public Check60 Check71 Check82 Check93 Check104 b. Presenting SSA in positive image Check110 Check121 Check132 Check143 Check154 c. Statistics Check160 Check171 Check182 Check193 Check204 3. SSA's current performance goals are realistic. Check210 Check221 Check232 Check243 Check254 4. SSA overstates its productivity. Check260 Check271 Check282 Check293 Check304 5. Managers want to show their office can do things better than other offices. Check310 Check321 Check332 Check343 Check354 6. I am rewarded for the quality of my work. Check360 Check371 Check382 Check393 Check404 7. I am rewarded for how fast I do my work. Check410 Check421 Check432 Check443 Check454 8. Quality is SSA's number 1 priority Check460 Check471 Check482 Check493 Check504 9. Quantity is SSA's number 1 priority Check510 Check521 Check532 Check543 Check554 10. I have had my work reviewed for quality in the last 12 months. Check560 Check571 Check582 Check593 Check604 11. I am not aware of any quality reviews conducted for employees in my office in recent memory. Check610 Check621 Check632 Check643 Check654 12. Quality is sacrificed because of SSA's emphasis on numeric performance goals. Check660 Check671 Check682 Check693 Check704 13. Management's emphasis on statistics has led to improper payments to claimants. Check710 Check721 Check732 Check743 Check754 14. I am aware of statistical manipulation or improper adjudicative practices to clear cases. Check760 Check771 Check782 Check793 Check804 Cite examples: Text1 15. Have employees in your office engaged in the practices listed below? a. suspend payment on RZ to clear case Check81Yes Check82No Check83Unsure b. employees are encouraged to work through lunch or break Check84Yes Check90No Check95Unsure c. changing protective filing dates Check85Yes Check91No Check96Unsure d. deleting case controls Check86Yes Check92No Check97Unsure e. taking unnecessary applications Check87Yes Check93No Check98Unsure f. concealing processing times Check88Yes Check94No Check99Unsure g. other (please state example):Text2 16. Management rewards employees who emphasize speed over quality. Check1000 Check1011 Check1022 Check1033 Check1044 17. My supervisor can establish fair and reasonable numeric performance standards for employees in my unit. Check1050 Check1091 Check1132 Check1173 Check1214 18. Individual employee numeric performance standards/goals will have an adverse impact on employee cooperation, stress, and morale. Check1060 Check1101 Check1142 Check1183 Check1224 19. Numeric performance standards/goals will improve working conditions. Check1070 Check1111 Check1152 Check1193 Check1234 20. Management will use numeric standards to encourage employees to speed up at the expense of public service. Check1080 Check1121 Check1162 Check1203 Check1244 21. REGION Text3DALLAS OFFICE Text4E58/G17 Position (check one): Check125SR Check126T2CR Check127T16CR Check128TE Check129CDC/Automation Clerk Check130Other (specify) Text5TSR Thank you for completing this survey. Your responses will help our negotiating team fight to protect your rights during these contract negotiations. Additional information and comments are welcome.