| Comment Number: | OL-10510368 |
| Received: | 3/16/2005 9:12:37 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:
NSPS Requirements Document Sept 25, 2004 Para 5.4.2 states that the NSPS must enhance the Department's ability to more easily size, shape and deploy any member of the workforce, - whether employee, supervisor, or manager, - to meet changing mission and stationing requirements, including those related to Joint Operations Attributes will be designed to operate within the framework of merit principles, veterans' preference, and employees' rights to organize and bargain collectively. Under subparagraph Assignable - Employees can be easily assigned/reassigned work in support of ongoing/emergent mission requirements. Under subparagraph Deployable - Employees and/or a work unit can be easily geographically moved, either temporarily or permanently, to meet changing mission requirements, including Joint requirements and across DOD Component structures These references indicate that DOD intends to 'deploy' it's civilian workforce much like the military component. The entire unit may be relocated - civilians included. There are no limitations indicated on these deployments and the frequency/timing/geographical span in which they are likely to occur may cause extreme hardship to the civilian workforce as well as the communities in which they were established/are reestablished. One of the 'draws' to civilian employment is being able to establish 'roots' in a community (continuity in children's education, home ownership, geographical closeness to family members). While there is reference made to flexibilities to provide incentives for civilians to move or be deployable, the reference is too vague and (since the local management will be able to determine pay levels and how the already limited budget is allocated) provides no assurance that these incentives will come to fruition, nor whether civilian employees will be afforded a choice in whether they deploy or move. The reality could be Management assignment of penalties to those who chose not to move or deploy.