| Comment Number: | OL-10504291 |
| Received: | 3/9/2005 5:32:52 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:
NSPS will reduce not increase performance within DoD. NSPS is similar to the old "merit pay" system which failed because managers did not fairly or equitably implement the pay for performance system. In theory, NSPS could work, but, the key is development of specific, quantifiable performance standards that are equally and fairly applied by managers to all employees. The problem is that no amount of training can make managers be fair and equitable in their decisions of paying for performance. Fairness and equity (in pay for performance) did not occur under merit pay and it will not occur under NSPS. After serving in the Department for almost 3 decades, I can confidently state that very few managers possess the values of fairness and equity. I am confident that the Department will implement NSPS. And, I am confident that the Department will realize an increase in prohibited personnel and discriminatory practices (although these practices may not be contested by a "workforce operating in fear".) Further, I am confident that many Departmental personnel will suffer from the unfair and inequitable treatment by their managers, undermining one of the primary goals of the NSPS. And finally, I am confident that NSPS will only further aggravate the current climate of fear and reprisal existant within many organizations in the Department.