| Comment Number: | EM-019829 |
| Received: | 3/15/2005 4:18:49 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:
March 15, 2005 DoD NSPS Comments , DoD NSPS Comments: Dear Representative: I would like to thank you in advance for the time you take in reading my letter to you. I am a current Government/DOD employee and have been so for the last five years. Despite being a good employee for any employer (public or private) I have elected to remain a federal employee for job stability, and the knowledge that I will always be fairly financially compensated, regardless of how much or how little my direct supervisor likes me. I agree that the system does need to be changed, however, I do not support the new system for a few reasons: 1) It seems as though this system was "flown in under the wire". I would expect a system this sweeping to be presented at length to every employee. I do not believe that it has been. Simply stated, I know far too little about this new system. 2) I believe that the raise system will indeed cause strife and discourage healthy disagreement with supervisory personnel. Honest opinions about solutions is a good thing, and the potential for reprisal (through pay) exists with this system. As stated earlier, the system does need to be changed. Currently the hiring procees to become a fedeal employee is too long and confusing. For example, I recently graduated college and now wish to find employment as a Criminal Investigaor (GS-1811). Nearly every Government agency hires investigaors but all have a different website for employment. Some agencies want a paper resume; others want an electronic resume. I have applied with the exact same resume and information to different agencies at the exact same time and recieved different scores. I applied fourteen months ago to become a Customs agent, and after passing my test, have not even been offered an oral interview yet. My co-worker passed all the stages to become a Border Patrol Agent nearly a year ago, but after countless delays is still waiting for a job offer despite recieving his "60" day letter over 11 months ago (the 60 day letter means that they will probably offer you a job in 60 days) Despite my final graduation of a 3.83 (out of a 4.0) some agencies have not credited me with "Superior Academic Achievment". Some agencies send a "Dear John" letter and some send nothing. A solution is needed but presently, I do not feel NSPS is the correct one. I agree that in these most troubling times, America needs the best and brightest employees recruited and retained. However, I can see how all of these barriers to entry would discourage any prespective applicant. I work for the federal government and am fully aware of how cumbersome the system is, and I am dicouraged. Thank You for your public service and your time. Sincerely Yours- Kyle N. Ott P.S. I have left the "canned letter" attached. 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 DoD for five years. I am angry that these proposals seem to treat the employees who help defend our country as the enemy. Most DoD employees work hard and are committed. I believe that mistreating the employees will hurt the agency?s mission. I am very upset by NSPS. This system will change the way workers are paid, evaluated, promoted, fired, scheduled, and treated. These rules would create a system in which federal managers are influenced by favoritism rather than serving the civil concerns of the American people. Annual Pay Raises Under the General Schedule and FWS, employee pay was clear. It was funded by Congress and could not be taken away. However, NSPS will take away this certainty. Salaries and bonuses are funded by DoD. In the past ? as recently as just last year ? DoD did not fund its awards program. Given the agency?s miserable record on this issue, how can employees feel confident that our salaries and bonuses will be funded in the future? ?Friend of the Supervisor? Pay System With the new patronage pay system, which DoD calls ?pay for performance,? the amount of a worker's salary will depend almost completely on the personal judgment of his or her manager. This system will force workers to compete with one another for pay raises, which will destroy teamwork, increase conflict among employees, and reward short-term outcomes. There is no guarantee that even the best workers will receive a pay raise or that the pay 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 problems. Furthermore, there will be no impartial appeal system to assure that everyone is treated fairly. Schedules and Overtime NSPS will allow managers to schedule employees to work without sufficient advance notice of schedule changes. This will make it extremely difficult for working parents to care for their children and family. It will also mean that abusive managers could harass employees with bad schedules or short notice. Overtime rotations can be canceled, which means that employees may not be able to plan adequately for childcare and other important responsibilities. Civilian Deployment Federal employees could be assigned anywhere in the world, even into a war zone, with little or no notice. I am proud to serve my country but I am also responsible for caring for my family and my personal obligations at home. We signed up for a civilian job. We did not enlist in the military. Today?s volunteer system works well. America is at war. We are fighting for democracy abroad. But the regulations are an attack on workers? 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. We need work rules that preserve fairness, serve the American people, and respect the rights of Defense Department workers. Sincerely,