| Comment Number: | OL-10511606 |
| Received: | 3/16/2005 4:18:21 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:
For quite some time we have heard from President Bush and his appointees of the importance and priority of hiring high level SESs and insure they are well paid, in the hopes of retention Attracting and retaining quality employee below SES level has never been discussed. In expressed attitudes and actions this closely reflects the private sector’s casual, disdainful attitude to the people who are the mechanism to achieve industry and business goals. The pattern of excessive salaries for CEOs who think nothing of rifling employees’ benefits and terminating as many as possible in order to fund even more exorbitant salaries The only new direction toward civil service employees is directed by an adversarial attitude. We are being treated as slackers who must be reeducated, rebuked. I have relatives who have been working as professionals under the pay banding system. They verified my conjecture that the system is highly subjective the opposite of the way it is portrayed, objective. These high performers always qualify for awards, but the amount of money is different every year as well as the number of award winners. They feel they would be better off under the plan I’m under. But I’m sure that’s not a consideration. But the government has the advantage with the new system. Put it in place, make it sound good, and don’t worry about funding it. Instead of teamwork which is so highly touted by the DoD, the system being set in place pits employees against each other for the approval of supervisor who may or may not be objective. I attended training over a year ago on the proposed system. The presenter was one of the collaborators that set up the system for the Corp of Engineers. Communication between employees and supervisors was emphasized as it is 5 CFR. When I ask about the training provided, only training on the system was mention. I asked specifically about training in communication skills, mediation. None was planned. It seems the only thing being streamlined is a workforce of employees fighting to gain an advantage over co-workers to keep their salary. To speak out and voice an objection can cost your job. Of course it can in the current administration also. Integrity seems to be valued far less than brown nosing. I have read the proposed changes, been to briefings, read pre-packaged news, and talked to program collaborators and employees working the new program. I am not impressed. While we lose rights and entitlements at home our Commander in Chief demands democracy for others.