| Comment Number: | OL-10501974 |
| Received: | 2/28/2005 3:43:42 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:
Pay and Pay Administration, Subpart C and Performance Management, Subpart D: I am an Air Force employee and have been working in the same GS-05 job since 1990. Although my duties and service have gone far and beyond the duties that I originally was handed in 1990, I still remain hostage to an archaic rating and promotion system. If NSPS had always been in effect, I might today be paid the wages that I'm currently performing duties of, which is much more than the GS-05 level. I and others in my field of Air Force Recruiting have been literally pining for a light at the end of the tunnel in a job that's so far been a big dead end administratively as far as promotion potential. I work at a geographically separated unit and advancement opportunities are scarce at best. Even if I were at an active unit (base) I would have to leave the job that I know so well and enjoy, and learn a totally new and different job, in order to get a promotion. Here's an example of how twisted the current system is: I've been at my current position for 15 years, and with DoD for nearly 20 years. I've received only positive performance reports and several awards. My counterpart, whose job description is my own and works at the same position in a different zone, has been with the federal service for only 2 years, and actually makes more than I because that zone's locality pay is higher. Fair? I think not. Even worse, pay is not affected when an employee is counseled for disciplinary action. It is nearly impossible to fire an employee and hire a better one in the current system. Fair? I think not. Some agencies go as far as to award monies "across the board" to all civilian employees who have a sat. rating on their performance report (mine does). Fair? I think not. I personally think NSPS is the best option for all of us. If certain federal employees agencies think that NSPS is a bad system, they need to come up with a better excuse than morale might be hurt if employees think they could get fired or receive less pay for substandard performance (Heaven forbid!!). Perhaps they can think of something better that will give me the opportunity to finally receive the promotion that I have earned after 15 years of service to the same organization. If they can, then let's hear about it. Frankly, my opinion is that the unions are unhappy about the new system because they lose a lot of their current power, and I am insulted that they feel they can speak for all of us without at least polling us.