| Comment Number: | OL-10509369 |
| Received: | 3/15/2005 2:48:46 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:
This is in reference to the National Security Personnel System (NSPS) scheduled for implementation. First, I’m still trying to comprehend how the federal workers performance level and pay system is an issue of ‘national security’? I have been working for the federal government for 31 years; performance rating systems have changed many times during my employment. The NSPS use of the pay band could be beneficial to those employees who get hired for a lower grade level (GS9) job and end up performing GS12 work. That is my only positive comment. I see the NSPS system as a deterrent to long term employees whose seniority will no longer count as a reward for longevity and corporate knowledge. All federal workers should be performing at highest level and if not appropriate action taken to correct that. Yearly Pay Raises: The elimination of yearly pay increases will be a major loss especially, to those employees who are stuck in job series with no career advancement available. The cost of living will continue to rise and as usual the civilian worker will not be able to keep in line with the civilian world. Performance Levels & Pay Bands The NSPS legal document posted on the federal register was very cumbersome and hard to digest. My main concern is that the NSPS distribution of pay raises and bonuses will rest in the hands of management. This may be an issue if the federal civilian workers’ supervisor is a military member, as these personnel change every two to three years. As long as there is no conflict (personality, job, or other wise) the civilian employee should get pay increases. However, conflict of any kind could jeopardize the pay entitlements to the civilian employee. Unless fair and impartial treatment is ‘guaranteed’ for all civilian employees, NSPS will be open season for the ‘good old boy’ system to run amuck, with rewards to the higher pay bands going to those who socialize with the boss. The already overworked government employee will now have to annotate all work related accomplishments, on a daily basis, to ensure that credit is received for performance, in order to be eligible for yearly pay increases. Summary: The GS system may need an overhaul however; the proposed NSPS needs further ‘scrutiny’ before consideration for implementation. I oppose the implementation of NSPS. The Secretary of Defense should review all federal government workers comments submitted and issues raised under this federal register announcement. The SOD should thoroughly review the affects this will have on the federal workforce and determine if the overhaul of the federal pay system to NSPS is really an issue of national security.