| Comment Number: | OL-10508853 |
| Received: | 3/15/2005 11:09:02 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:
The proposed regulations in work rules for the Department of Defense (DoD) known as the National Security Personnel System (NSPS), if implemented, will destroy the dedicated and professional civilian workforce needed to support our military in a time of war. I’ve worked proudly for the DoD a number of years. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld has pushed this agenda, saying there needs to be greater flexibility in hiring, disciplining, compensating, and assigning civilian personnel. I agree, some changes are needed to update our personnel system, particularly in hiring flexibility for example. But the type of sweeping changes the Secretary is seeking go way beyond the pale. The current system has stood the test of time, and actually consists of most of the things he wants. It’s simply in need of “tweaking”, not being discarded. The NSPS regulations will be an attack on workers rights, and treats government employees like enemies instead of the committed team members we are. The proposed regulations will change the way we’re paid, evaluated, promoted, and scheduled. The “pay for performance” system leaves almost sole discretion of your salary to a manager’s personal judgment. This is a huge step backwards into the “good old boy” network of doing things. If your manger likes you, you’ll be rewarded, regardless of how well you actually perform. And there’s no guarantee of fairness or that even the best workers will receive a raise or competitive pay. Instead of improving performance, it will force workers to compete with each other as individuals, rather than work as a team. This will increase conflict, only reward short-term outcomes, and actually divert employee’s attention form the real mission – supporting our troops. Our attention will be diverted from taking care of the Soldier to protecting us from abuse and fighting to work in the system. One of the most progressive components of our current system is the use of flex-time. President Bush himself, in August 2004, called on corporate America to implement more flex-time, comp time, and compressed workweek options. NSPS eliminates the government’s version of this. This is but one of the many illogical and contradictory moves NSPS promotes. NSPS allows managers to schedule any overtime or other work schedule without adequate advance notice, which will unduly burden working parents. It also opens the door for abusive managers to harass employees with bad schedules or short notices. Another ridiculous proposal by the NSPS is deployment of civilians. Under this system we can be assigned anywhere in the world, including a war zone, with little notice. I’ve heard one manger comment he would fire anyone that refused to go on a deployment. Mr. Rumsfeld wantsthe same kind of chain of command authority he has over his uniformed personnel. I’ve proudly served my time in the military, with no regrets, but I’m a civilian now. Our roles are, and should be, different. I’ve already witnessed questionable practices in the Soldier to civilian conversions. I can only imagine the abuses that will occur under such an autocratic system that the NSPS will usher in. One of the more frustrating aspects of this, is the lack of details that have been provided. Everything is in generalities. It’s as if we’re rushing to get this proposal in place, and then start working out all the particulars. The NSPS has nothing to do with national security, and has no potential to improve it. This is all about a political agenda - an agenda that will severely harm those who have dedicated their lives in public service. Mr. Rumsfeld has demonstrated poor decision making in several areas over the past few years, many of which have proved to be very costly to America. I urge constraint in this process, and that DoD rethinks this proposal. We need a system that will preserve fairness, teamwork, and best allow us to serve our military troops. The NSPS will do none of these. I’ve wor