Return to Article: DHS abandons proposed labor relations system
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44163
Don't break out the champagne yet! ICE is still pushing ahead with eTool, which is really just MaxHR by another name. The General Schedule (GS) pay system was designed to reward good performers with QSIs, as well as cash and time off awards, but management never fully utilized those features to reward high performers. Don't blame the GS system, blame those who failed to use it properly! Also, ICE recently implemented a new Table of Offenses and Penalties, which offers draconian punishments (up to and including removal) for things that in the past were punishable by reprimands or suspensions for first offenses, so watch your step!
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44162
Don't break out the champagne yet! ICE is still pushing ahead with eTool, which is really just MaxHR by another name. The General Schedule (GS) pay system was designed to reward good performers with QSIs, as well as cash and time off awards, but management never fully utilized those features to reward high performers. Don't blame the GS system, blame those who failed to use it properly! Also, ICE recently implemented a new Table of Offenses and Discipline, which offers draconian punishments (up to and including removal) for things that in the past were punishable by reprimands or suspensions for first offenses, so watch your step!
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44032
Navy and ExNavy, thank you very much. Considering our history of immigration (yep! I said the "I" word), I've often wondered about that choice of name. While most of us are now (and still) home-grown, born-here Americans; the very essence of what we are comes from hard working foreigners, generous of heart, optimistic of the future, and welcoming of hands ironing out our differences one issue at a time; sometimes with emotional and emphatic consequences. Still we hope we have risen above the pettiness; we still hope to become something of greatness.
My economics background tells me no system can tolerate a constant influx of people or the draining of resources to aid others without replenishment; but, for those who care and actually look, we are one of if not THE most generous nation in the world. Yes, many are jealous of our success, but we continue doing what we think is right (and righteous). Even agnostics like me feel the pull of this noblesse oblige.
What does that have to do with DHS's abandonment of this labor relations system; actually quite a bit! This national attitude combines with (I must be realistic) our desire for economic security and comprise the motivation of most of our civilian employees. Yes, since this announcement, many of us feel freer, optimistic, more secure; and can once more turn our attention to our jobs and our missions.
I would like to think that most of us can look at this failure as a well-intended experiment; as long as its inherent weaknesses can be seen in time to correct. And, Skeeter, before you knock my optimistic, pie-in-the-sky feelings, if you really knew some of us civilians; well, just ask us. We really do like that satisfied feeling that comes of a job well done; even if it is supporting an ungrateful public like yourself. It's just been this knife (NSPS) in our back that's been bothering us lately.
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43983
Off Topic - Navy Employee I agree with you. The word 'Homeland' is too close to 'Fatherland' for me.
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43927
I agree with the sketicism that the implementaion of the new personnel system is not over yet. DHS is an extremist organization and when DHS says that they will continue to operate "with applicable law" it's that "law," the 2002 Act that we should be concern.
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43922
Off topic, but am I the only one that shudders when I hear Department of Homeland Security? "Homeland" just rings false. Americans don't speak of the homeland unless they're from somewhere else. It has echos of Nazi Germany to me.
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43855
My sympathy to the good workers at the DHS. So much for any progress as the unions win again. The good old boy system stays in place with no rewards for the workers that are actually putting forth an extra effort. They might as well sit back and wait for the old step increases. As long as they breath, they will get a raise. Great, same old system, no rewards for performance! Just what the unions want. When Hillary RIFs another 50% of us, the unions will still be happy protecting those who have just put in years and have not performed! Can't wait, I will look for another job right now.
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43851
Now, all that remains is to eliminate the convoluted automated Etool (old MAXHR)performance plan management system. Pass/Fail is the tried and true way.
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43835
I think several of you are missing a very key point, here. DHS has not abandoned the entire personnel system - it has only abandoned the "Labor Relations" portion of the new personnel system. As it stands, DHS still fully intends to implement the other portions of the new personnel system, to include pay-for-performance (pay banding) and performance management. Congress currently has a ban in effect from allowing any funding for DHS to implement any part(s) of this new system. But as another poster mentioned, in Bush's latest budget proposal, it includes a caveat that would overturn this ban. This would allow DHS to go ahead and implement portions of the new personnel system, to include pay banding and performance management. So as good as this latest news is, DHS still fully intends to shove through the other parts of this new system. So it's far too early for any celebrating.
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43824
i wish the DoD would do the same thing with its NSPS. overall though this is a step in the right direction.
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43806
I agree with you, Rob. Besides, DHS has been implementing the personnel system under the table, anyway, and violating the DHS employees' civil service rights. If something is too good to be true, it probably is.....
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43799
There is a huge need to bring the DHS workers payscale within the GS payscale. From what I can see DHS has not performed any better than any other agency; their morale is extremely low and has not improved. How efficient can an agency be if the employees are unhappy? Many of the agencies brought under the DHS umbrella don't function as well under DHS as they did as an independent agency. FEMA is a good example, the unused trailers have cost the taxpayers millions of dollars and they are now declared as health hazzards. Mr. Brown cannot be blamed for this.
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43778
Great news! now lets restructure CBP! No more looking for fruits and vegetables in suitcases seizing counterfeit "Gucci" bags and call that job "Law Enforcement" Its more like TSA with a gun!
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43773
DHS has never been one to accept reality, unless it is shoved down its throut.
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43770
I smell a rat...
DHS and this administration has been adament about giving management an environment that will breed fear in the employees rather than truly provide an avenue to better homeland security. For them to abandon their defense of this flawed system only leads me to believe that another agenda is in the works. After all, did not President Bush urge overturning the ban on DHS implementing this system, stating that it was a threat to national security?
I just don't think we've seen the end of this.
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43727
Thank goodness that there are dedicated and caring professionals in government service like those of the caliber of Ms. Colleen Kelley and the other fine attorneys who helped defeat this abonimation that should have never seen the light of day but for the Bush administration sycophants and toadies that pushed it who had not one iota of care for the short or longer term adverse impact it had on the federal workforce.
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