| Comment Number: | OL-10504720 |
| Received: | 3/10/2005 9:25:18 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:
Between my military time and civil service I've devoted over 30 years of my life to government service. I've seen a great number of changes, some for the better and some for the worse. This NSPS is definitely for the worse. This new system would open up the flood gates for even more abuse and misuse of limited resources. It will further deteriorate the low morale and motivation of the workforce. It makes a basic assumption that managers/supervisors know what they're doing, are fair, apply the rules equitably and would be unbiased in their application of the new rules. Nothing could be further from the truth. I've seen way too many managers who have absolutely no business being in a supervisory capacity and it amazes me that their supervisors have allowed them to remain in a position of authority. It seems having people skills are definitely a low priority in the selection criteria for supervisors which is really pitiful and a shame on the senior leadership. A good majority of todays supervisors have no concept of caring for their people and are more concerned with making themselves look good in front of the boss. Abuse and misuse are more their watchwords. Cases of positions being created specifically for somebody, recruitment lists being turned back because the person they wanted was not on it, inspite of more qualified people being there, are rampart. Or manipulating recruitment actions by limiting who can apply, or opening it up for an extremely short timeframe, or limiting such incentives as paying for PCS costs happen with the existing system. This new system will result in much worse abuses. When people refuse to accept a new position, even if it's for a promotion, because they found out who their supervisor would be something is wrong. When that supervisor has had numerous formal and informal complaints lodged against them why would we want to give them even more power to abuse which is what this new system would do. This new system would foster favoritism, cronyism, and potential for more abuses than the existing system already has. It means the already favored few will be further elevated not necessarily because they are harder workers or produce more but because they "kiss up" to the boss. It won't take long before it's recognized that cooperation among employees and free flow of information works against the individual since this new system encourages competition between employees. What might have been a friendly working enivornment will now be one where competition is rampart and information is power. Gone will be the days of doing what's right for the soldier and getting the mission done. In are the days where one must look out primarily for oneself and cooperation with fellow workers is detrimental to ones further advancement or pay raises. I grant you that the existing system leaves a lot to be desired but this NSPS will do nothing but further exasperate the problem. Poor managers/supervisors will continue to be pitiful, irresponsible, not self policing, and will be provided more latitude to continue being self appreciative, abusive and decrease productivity rather an increase it. More training will help but all too often these folks are too set in their ways and have the management style of "my way or the highway". This new system fosters the highway or major kissing up. It would be difficult for me to encourage anybody to join the ranks of civil service nowadays. With this new system I would surely discourage them.