| Comment Number: | EM-020101 |
| Received: | 3/15/2005 9:45:10 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: I am writing to express my concerns about changes to work rules in the Department of Defense (DoD). I do not agree with the proposed regulations (NSPS). I have worked for DoD for 21 years. One of my early jobs was in a goverment department where appraisals were given to those favored employees who "nosed" up to the boss. Those employees were always given an "exceptional" whether they did a good job or not. The employees who simply came in to work, worked hard, and didn't schmooz, were only given a "successful" appraisal. These ratings were from were government bosses who supposedly were taking leadership classes and learning how to be a better boss.....It did NOT work. I wouldn't go back to that department if my life depended on it, even though I really liked the job and the (non-brown nosing) co-workers. I cannot believe that this new system will work in favor of the quiet, hard working employee who only wants to do the best job he can and not waste time sucking up to the boss. These rules would create a system in which federal managers are influenced by favoritism rather than serving the civil concerns of the American people. And that's IF there is money in the budget! As recently as just last year DoD did not fund its awards program. Given this miserable record, how can I feel confident that my salary and bonuses will be funded in the future? This system will force workers to compete with one another for pay raises, destroying teamwork and increasing conflict among employees in the process. It will 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. I signed up for a civilian job; I did not enlist in the military. Today?s volunteer system works well. Please rethink this proposal. I want work rules that preserve fairness, serve the American people, and respect the rights of the workers. Sincerely,