Comment Number: OL-10505010
Received: 3/10/2005 2:26:18 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:

I am supportive of the DOD to change the current civilian work force system. Howvever, some the provisions cause me to really be concerned. Reduction or elimination of poor performers is noteworthy and a common theme amongst us. A merit based pay system is a technique. But the reality of this requires all supervisors to make informed decisions. Under the current system, many of the supervisors don't demonstarte this level of maturity and responsibility. When pay raises are available, the norm is to give everyone something, so as to seem fair across the spectrum. It is very common to see through out the federal work force many supervisors who will use this merit pay system as a strong arm approach to quelling subordinate's difference of opinions. I am very critical of elimination of locality pay, and incoorporating EPI compensation into a pay pool. With ongoing budget contraints, I expect future pay pool managers to pay out very little compensations. As long as executives can mantipulate funding, they will regardless of its intent. Establishing a pay system which incorporates subjective evaluations with no establish accountabilty or redress procedures opens many doors which encourage employee litigation. It is very conceivable that retention of a job or receiving a pay compensation will overwhelmingly based on one's loyalty or how well one gets along to actual job performance. This is exactly what currently separates the government work force from our civilian work place. I personally want managers and co-workers who habitually stand up for what is right. We are constantly put in positions where executive level managers want to mantipulate end results to promote personal agendas. Under the current system, we are able to stand up against this type of intimadation. Under the proposed system, given this ethical dilemma we have two choices, quit or be fired. I can only hope at this point that the congressional congregation will recommend a fair check and balance to be incoorporated into this new personnel system?