| Comment Number: | OL-10508316 |
| Received: | 3/15/2005 2:18:08 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:
Section 9901.714 - Proposal notice. I recommend that the current notice and reply requirements (30 days written notice and not less than 7 days to answer for serious adverse actions and advance written notice and a reasonable time to answer proposed suspensions of 14 days or less) be retained. Having adequate notice and a reasonable chance to answer are essential components of due process. By proposing to reduce the notice and reply periods in subsections (a), DOD/OPM seek to deprive DOD employees of precious time that is required to consider the charges against them, obtain representation, gather information, and prepare their answers. The modest acceleration of the disciplinary process that DOD would realize from this change is outweighed by the harm that would be done to the employees' opportunity to defend themselves fully and fairly.