Re: Suggestions

At USDA, I had a suggestion that went through the system and the reply was that it could not be implemented because the Negotiated Agreement precluded it--making individual development plans optional. These were not being done, and for those that were done, it was a paper shuffle with entries such as "no training needed" just to comply with the requirement.

Oddly a week later, management discussed this with the Union and it was made optional. Of course, I sent an inquiry, and I received a "certificate of appreciation" for my foresight.

Cynically, it may have happened that someone else stole the idea and took credit for it. Realistically, it shows the low priority Agency managers place on soliciting and considering ideas that might be considered "out of the box."

Finally, the office in charge of IDPs also was responsible for awards and recognition--so why would they advocate a suggestion that would result in less work for them to check in Personnel Management Reviews!

Re: Suggestions

At USDA I submitted a suggestion that sat on someone's desk for two years. It was lost, so I had to resubmit it.

I resubmitted it, and also submitted another suggestion that Suggestions be tracked, and if an office is on the routing for reviewing and comment, that if they don't comment within five business days, it should be recorded as concurrence by default and move along to the next office.

I never heard anything on that suggestion to improve the Employee Suggestion Program.

Re: Suggestions

Ummmm--did you even read the article? It says nothing about the Army's suggestion program.

Here's what happened: From Federal Computer Week, not exactly a partisan mouthpiece: http://fcw.com/Articles/2009/06/08/buzz-open-government-dialogue-birth-certificate.aspx?s=fcwdaily_050609&Page=1

Re: Suggestions

The unions have suggested dismantling pay for performance and returning to GS.

So much for that suggestion. OPM RECENTLY announced it is exploring ways to implement pay for performance.

Unions are GENUFLECTING to Obama and Berry so they have some input into the system.

Re: Suggestions

I agree with Management Analyst/USDA, but for a different reason. After 30+ years of this before I retired I doubt if any viable suggestion could ever get to the White House. While I did many regulatory briefings at OMB (as close as I ever got to the White House) the people we briefed were career people who reported to political appointees. I can't imagine how any suggestion could penetrate all the way to the top tier of the paper ceiling. This effort was probably well-intentioned but naive.