| Comment Number: | OL-10509505 |
| Received: | 3/15/2005 3:53:04 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:
The implementation of the proposed NSPS system is cause for great concern to many DoD employees. Systems and procedures always have room for improvement; however it seems that this plan is a sweeping change to everything without the necessary attention to detail that will ensure the level of success necessary. This system will give considerable powers to management without properly defining how supervisors are to evaluate their employees performance. It does seem like management is being given a blank check to do with what they will. This helps national security how? Rewarding outstanding performers is a great idea, but standards need to be established that define what that performance is to be. Too many particulars seem to have not been defined yet. To leaving these important decisions up to the individual supervisors is giving too much power to that person. Let's be honest, we have many supervisors who would never be considered a "leader" in the true sense of the word. Many civilian employees view this plan as going right back to a "good ole boy" system because it best sums out how we view the plan. Supervisors will have almost free reign to do as they wish. Perhaps an employee is a hard worker, but the supervisor has personality issues? The defined appeals process will not help this person. Most employees believe that once they are lumped into their assigned pay band, the odds of making it to the next pay band are next to impossible. Most DoD civilian employees take great pride in their jobs and receive great fulfillment in helping the military achieve its mission. Now it looks like we are being punished because a small group of politicians think they do not have enough control over us. The few briefings we have received on this program have been full of "we don't know yet" and "that hasn't been defined yet". This program is being established to develop flexible hiring practices and improve rentention. Who will want to work for the DoD when they show so little esteem for their employees? Now personnel will be interested in looking out for themselves rather than ensuring that the world's greatest military services can achieve their mission. The military is spread thin throughout the world, but I hope that warfighter knows that he can depend on the civilian workforce supporting him/her in their mission. Will that be possible with this system? Doubtful, with the support of a workforce who feels demoralized, unappreciated and completely taken for granted. We are now seen as threat to national security and must be contained!!