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Return to Article: Senator urges go-slow approach to personnel reform

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  Yesterday, we had another non-briefing for the New Spoils Political System (NSPS) wherein the answer to most of the questions was still "I don't know." Our SES got a little heated when folks got frustrated with hearing that time and again. Did you know that performance is defined as not only how well you do your job, but your manner, demeanor, attitude and behavior in doing your job? Our SES told us that there would be standards of what's considered acceptable manner, demeanor, attitude and behavior. Pay for performance my Aunt Fanny. Did you know that even though you may not be part of the Spiral Down, er, um, I mean Spiral One that goes under paybanding (set for Jun or Jul 05), all DoD civlians will fall under Rummy's new National Security Labor Relations Board at that time? They are certainly having their cake and eating it to, aren't they. You may not fall under paybanding but they've still got you. Did you know that locality pay may be a thing of the past, because its now based on, among other things, availabilty of funds? Considering the budget in now orbiting the moons of Saturn, how hard is it going to be for management to play that card? Most of the people I work with haven't even read the NSPS rules, let alone write their Congressional reps or provide comments. Now, personally, I think both of these endeavors are futile but it made me feel better. For those of us with more than 20 years in, it will be little more than indentured servitude because we have too much time invested to just quit. NSPS will create a world class system of sycophants and toadies, which is exactly why, instead of fixing civil service, they destroyed it and created their own little world. Be afraid, be very afraid.

  GovExec.com reader Posted February 23, 2005 7:22 AM
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  Can someone in the House and Senate WAKE UP!!! Please save the government employees from being destroyed. It doesn't matter to Bush or Rummy if he takes away all benefits from government employees. Bush and his buds will make it. As long as they can keep the WAR's going they become richer. They use the government employees as pawns in a winless chess game. PLEASE SOMEONE HELP US!!!

  WORKER BEE KC

  GovExec.com reader Posted February 22, 2005 7:52 AM
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  I'm sick of the constant attacks on federal employees. I for one will no longer go that extra mile, why should I the Bush administration treats us like door mats. To fellow Feds I respect the heck out of you.

  Take this job and shove it.

  GovExec.com reader Posted February 16, 2005 7:54 AM
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  Based on reading just some of the preliminary regulations Sen. Voinovich had better rally some support of his co-hearts and think twice and not wait to see the results from DHS and DoD. It needs to be stopped out right until our basic protections are guaranteed as they are today. I have no problems with modifying rules to easily remove individuals that are DOCUMENTED as non-performers, troublemakers, etc. and given due process. I'll even accept Pay-Banding! But my most dire concern is with the new RIF regulations which basically guarantee nothing.

  RIF rules CAN BE modified and shuffled at will to the point where specific groups, organizations, or specific occupational series can be shown the door if DoD deems necessary, without impacting other organizations even if they work two doors down the hall. This basically means for example, if your branch should decide to eliminate a certain occupational series within that organization then you're out even if you have 20+ years while two doors down a person in the same series with only 2 years of service is not affected. That should never be allowed to happen!!

  Start screaming to your representatives people. Do not let DHS and DoD test these regulations! For once they are applied it will be difficult, I think, to ever revert back as it will have already become law.

  Dave Posted February 15, 2005 1:53 PM
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  Why would the Bush administration try or test anything? The easiest way to do anything is to turn it over to their contractor "Buds", can you spell Halliburton? When this fails they can say see it does not work let's contract everything.

  The US taxpayer and civil service are getting shafted on this deal, no real thought or planning has gone into it. People who have no real stake in the reform have been allowed to make decisions they have no right to make. The reason civil service is the way it is at the present is to keep political influence out of the operation, now sucking up and kissing butt will run rampant and only the best at those two things will gain.

  I only hope there are enough representatives Senators or Representatives to save us from the likes of Bush and Rumsfeld. I would suggest that everyone write their state representatives and may be we can have a positive effect, and get this turned back. I know the people new to civil service think this is a great idea, but they have not been around long enough to have a real taste for what is going on.

  Dave Posted February 15, 2005 8:13 AM
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  I suggest Sen. Voinovich pass legislation to force the administration to stop gutting the civil service. The DoD should not be permitted to even start their changes until long-term studies are conducted on the DHS system.

  GovExec.com reader Posted February 15, 2005 5:46 AM
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  Just some notes on the proposed NSPS regulations just out.

  page 7562 and 7566: You can be fired for disagreement with the status quo if DoD shows less than 51% proof that your attitude interferes with national security. Bottom line.

  In other words: Conduct and behavior affecting performance outcomes (i.e. attitude) is now an element of performance. You can be fired for performance issues. You can go to MSPB judge but DoD can reverse MSPB judge decision (and hold off a full MSPB order to correct) if they can show the decision has a direct and substantial "adverse impact on national security" by showing "substantial evidence" (i.e., less than a preponderence,or about 25-50% proof.

  DoD Intern Posted February 14, 2005 7:34 PM
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  Once again the GS system takes the blame for the federal government's woes. Not surpising considering the fact that federal employees take the blame for everything from the budget deficit to crime waves. Every year their pay raise is publicly ridiculed. The GS system offers government employees protection from the "administration of the moment" and allows the government to function on an even keel without disrupting the lives of the American public. The GS system does allow for disciplinary action provided the supervisor documents the situation properly. Within grade raises are not automatic but require supervisory concurrence. Neither of these facts gets presented accurately when this topic is discussed. Could the GS system be improved? Of course. Fix the GS system, don't trash it. Stop penalizing the employees for carrying out their assigned missions.

  GovExec.com reader Posted February 14, 2005 8:58 AM
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  I'm laughing reading this article on a call for patience by Senator Voinovich. We have had 4 years of precisely no patience- and whether it means 1,500 dead Americans or thousands and thousands of civil servants being forced into HR programs that don't work- it doesn't matter because this is an administration that would rather sail into the middle of a storm than find a safe port- just so long as it is moving forward. Senator, good luck on asking for patience-- when the history books are written about this presidency I don't think patience will ever be mentioned.

  HR Specialist

  GovExec.com reader Posted February 14, 2005 8:31 AM