Good luck with a reply! I've submitted two suggestions through the Army suggestion program. One was delayed SO long that by the time they looked at it (2 years later) the suggestion had been thought up by someone else who didnt need to go through the system and implimented into regulation.
The other took 3 years to be looked at and I got a long apologetic email for the delay and it was elevated to MACOM approval and has been there for about 2 years.
I can see this via their old online tracking system which last time I checked had went down as well. Basically nobody pays attention to it.
Re: Suggestions
Fiscally Responsible Fed Somewhere Thu Jun 4, 2009 9:02 AM
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
Fiscally Responsible Fed Somewhere Thu Jun 4, 2009 9:04 AM
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
Knowledge Worker DOS Fri Jun 5, 2009 10:14 AM
Ummmm--did you even read the article? It says nothing about the Army's suggestion program.
I have several ideas on how our programs can be managed more efficiently and effectively. I was waiting for the announcement as to where and in what form to send suggestions. I naively thought we might even get notice via email. I will now attempt to go through that website which you listed. Or even write to the White House. Thank you.
Above article
HR Specialist OPM Thu Jun 4, 2009 9:07 AM
For all the pyrotechic hype, things haven't changed. Our political "leadership," whether Democrat or Republican, is hypocritical and/or dismissively arrogant when it comes to the point of really being interested in suggestions "from the bowels of the bureaucracy." It makes for a nice sound bite when a stirring message is put out - oh so apparently in earnest - seeking out the "frontline's views, but it's all a media version of a Potemkin village - just for show.
Past suggestions
worker Fed Thu Jun 4, 2009 9:07 AM
Years ago I put in suggestions for my area of the government that was done in another area. These suggestions were implemented and I received no reward for these suggestions.
Never again.
Suggestions
Management Analyst USDA Thu Jun 4, 2009 9:08 AM
Perhaps it is because I am a cynic by nature, but I seriously doubt that any input the White House receives from the Federal employees will be given any more thought than dumping it into a virtual trash bin. This action seems to be more like a political move than of anything of substance. It looks good in the media and to the general public and I am willing to bet that's where the White House's concern stops.
Re: Suggestions
Fiscally Responsible Fed Somewhere Thu Jun 4, 2009 9:42 AM
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
retired fed DHHS Thu Jun 4, 2009 10:31 AM
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.
No Surpise
Retired LR Manager Retired Thu Jun 4, 2009 9:16 AM
Sounds like the bailout plot--hurry up and wait..all about hollywood public relations--not snookered on his approach.
Suggestion Program
Potato, Tomato, and Pepper Grower Oaklandon Thu Jun 4, 2009 9:26 AM
When I first joined the Federal govt. as a sillyvilian, DoD had a large, well-publicized suggestion program that was quite active, generated improvements and savings and was generally well respected. What happened to that old program and why do we need this new one?
Suggestion Box
Examiner IV US Treasury - Office of Thrift Supervision Thu Jun 4, 2009 9:52 AM
I was one of the people that sent my suggestion to Fedsmith because I did not know where else to send it. When I ask people in HR at my agency, they gave me the fedsmith email address.
suggestion box
manager usdot Thu Jun 4, 2009 10:13 AM
uhhh...like anyone in their right mind is going to submit a suggestion or critique of THIS government via trackable e-mail! You'd have to be a moron, or offering up a suggestion so blase or unremarkable that it wouldn't matter what O's thought police read.
I've offered up a suggestion to my Agency that they implement a "virtual" suggestion box where comments can be posted, not via e-mail, but much like an open blog...no identifying info required.
I believe this would offer an evenue for those wishing to offer suggestions or ideas without raising the ire of their supervisors, that is, if the individual monitoring the "suggestion box" maintains an open mind and forwards suggestions appropriately. Of course there will be utterly inane and perhaps rude or deragatory comments as well...the suggestion box seems to always attract base and vile comments from certain employees, but it is still a valuable tool if properly vetted.
Look harder
Fed Worker SSA Thu Jun 4, 2009 11:03 AM
I found the website in less than 15 seconds. You must not have looked hard enough or you are already jumping to conclusions. Here's the link.
As noted in the article, the website is now easier to find. We were unable to locate it (and no one had publicized it in the numerous articles on the subject) back when it was announced and suggestions were reportedly being sought.
Re: Look harder
Clerk DOI Thu Jun 4, 2009 1:30 PM
Fed_Daily published the link to the "suggestion box" weeks ago; it was supposed to take you to the proper place within the whitehouse.gov website. The link didn't work, nor was the suggestion box available at that time on whitehouse.gov.
And, yes usdot manager, some of us would send in suggestions via e-mail. What's the worst that could happen beyond the recipient guffawing loudly, then deleting the suggestion?!
Suggetsion Box only works with the right leadershi
Supervisor DLA Thu Jun 4, 2009 11:23 AM
The fact is, your suggestion will either be ignored, or will actually be given consideration, dependent on your leadership. Poor leaders are fearful and insecure, and continually find ways to put people down to maintain their power. They don't want to hear your ideas, unless it is their own. That's why most of these programs don't work! The governement is notorious for putting people in charge that "Did the time", and truly have no leadership ability. Most of the good leaders left the governemnt early in their career, or are waiting their turn.
Re: Suggetsion Box only works with the right leadershi
HR Spec VA Thu Jun 4, 2009 1:38 PM
If you are truly a supervisor, you are at one level of leadership. Are you a person who simply "did the time" and "have no leadership ability"? Or are you "waiting your turn"? Or do you consider yourself a "leader" at all? If so, please let us know what you're doing right, that you don't see other "leaders" doing.
Re Suggestion Box only works with the right leader
Engineer -AF Air Force Thu Jun 4, 2009 9:20 PM
HR Spec -- I'm not Supervisor DLA, but your response is so typical of HR who don't understand outside their books. Here's two hints:
1. They eat -- then I eat.
2. They sleep -- then I sleep.
There's a lot more to it than that, but those who don't understand this basic part won't get the hard parts.
Re: Re Suggestion Box only works with the right leader
HR Spec VA Fri Jun 5, 2009 10:17 AM
AF Engineer, I understand basic leadership as well; what do your comments have to do with the "supervisor's" original remarks? Maybe I need to get back to my books & study up the "hard parts" since your explanation isn't coming across.
Leadership
Engineer -AF Air Force Fri Jun 5, 2009 10:20 PM
Didn't think you would understand.
Supervisor DLA provided a readily understandable explanation of how some "leaders" fail in basic leadership skills. You challenged it so I provided some basic examples of leadership. I didn't say all, everything, or even the day to day tasks. I said the basics. If you wish to learn leadership, you must first understand that a leader serves those he leads. Those who follow must come first. End of lesson one.
An Open Letter to Mr. Smith
Knowledge Worker DOS Tue Jun 9, 2009 7:55 AM
Your snarky comments ("Perhaps they just wanted credit for setting up the program. Perhaps they thought their program was so important everyone in government knew how to find their blog site and was very familiar with the important work they were doing") about the White House's efforts to set up are not helpful. The online forum you wrote about was sabotaged through sliming by individuals with unrelated political axes to grind. My point is this: Online dialogues, to be effective, require on-point, substantive contributions. The individuals who filled the Open Government Dialogue with pages and pages of scurrilous comments made me wonder whether it will ever be possible to conduct a similar initiative without similar results.
Suggestions
Army
Thu Jun 4, 2009 8:20 AM
Good luck with a reply! I've submitted two suggestions through the Army suggestion program. One was delayed SO long that by the time they looked at it (2 years later) the suggestion had been thought up by someone else who didnt need to go through the system and implimented into regulation.
The other took 3 years to be looked at and I got a long apologetic email for the delay and it was elevated to MACOM approval and has been there for about 2 years.
I can see this via their old online tracking system which last time I checked had went down as well. Basically nobody pays attention to it.
Re: Suggestions
Somewhere
Thu Jun 4, 2009 9:02 AM
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
Somewhere
Thu Jun 4, 2009 9:04 AM
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
DOS
Fri Jun 5, 2009 10:14 AM
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
Ideas to go directly to the White House
CMS
Thu Jun 4, 2009 8:52 AM
I have several ideas on how our programs can be managed more efficiently and effectively. I was waiting for the announcement as to where and in what form to send suggestions. I naively thought we might even get notice via email. I will now attempt to go through that website which you listed. Or even write to the White House. Thank you.
Above article
OPM
Thu Jun 4, 2009 9:07 AM
For all the pyrotechic hype, things haven't changed. Our political "leadership," whether Democrat or Republican, is hypocritical and/or dismissively arrogant when it comes to the point of really being interested in suggestions "from the bowels of the bureaucracy." It makes for a nice sound bite when a stirring message is put out - oh so apparently in earnest - seeking out the "frontline's views, but it's all a media version of a Potemkin village - just for show.
Past suggestions
Fed
Thu Jun 4, 2009 9:07 AM
Years ago I put in suggestions for my area of the government that was done in another area. These suggestions were implemented and I received no reward for these suggestions.
Never again.
Suggestions
USDA
Thu Jun 4, 2009 9:08 AM
Perhaps it is because I am a cynic by nature, but I seriously doubt that any input the White House receives from the Federal employees will be given any more thought than dumping it into a virtual trash bin. This action seems to be more like a political move than of anything of substance. It looks good in the media and to the general public and I am willing to bet that's where the White House's concern stops.
Re: Suggestions
Somewhere
Thu Jun 4, 2009 9:42 AM
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
DHHS
Thu Jun 4, 2009 10:31 AM
No Surpise
Retired
Thu Jun 4, 2009 9:16 AM
Sounds like the bailout plot--hurry up and wait..all about hollywood public relations--not snookered on his approach.
Suggestion Program
Oaklandon
Thu Jun 4, 2009 9:26 AM
When I first joined the Federal govt. as a sillyvilian, DoD had a large, well-publicized suggestion program that was quite active, generated improvements and savings and was generally well respected. What happened to that old program and why do we need this new one?
Suggestion Box
US Treasury - Office of Thrift Supervision
Thu Jun 4, 2009 9:52 AM
I was one of the people that sent my suggestion to Fedsmith because I did not know where else to send it. When I ask people in HR at my agency, they gave me the fedsmith email address.
suggestion box
usdot
Thu Jun 4, 2009 10:13 AM
uhhh...like anyone in their right mind is going to submit a suggestion or critique of THIS government via trackable e-mail! You'd have to be a moron, or offering up a suggestion so blase or unremarkable that it wouldn't matter what O's thought police read.
I've offered up a suggestion to my Agency that they implement a "virtual" suggestion box where comments can be posted, not via e-mail, but much like an open blog...no identifying info required.
I believe this would offer an evenue for those wishing to offer suggestions or ideas without raising the ire of their supervisors, that is, if the individual monitoring the "suggestion box" maintains an open mind and forwards suggestions appropriately. Of course there will be utterly inane and perhaps rude or deragatory comments as well...the suggestion box seems to always attract base and vile comments from certain employees, but it is still a valuable tool if properly vetted.
Look harder
SSA
Thu Jun 4, 2009 11:03 AM
I found the website in less than 15 seconds. You must not have looked hard enough or you are already jumping to conclusions. Here's the link.
http://www.ostp.gov/cs/opengov/from-the-inbox/
Re: Look harder
fedsmith.com
Thu Jun 4, 2009 12:32 PM
Re: Look harder
DOI
Thu Jun 4, 2009 1:30 PM
And, yes usdot manager, some of us would send in suggestions via e-mail. What's the worst that could happen beyond the recipient guffawing loudly, then deleting the suggestion?!
Suggetsion Box only works with the right leadershi
DLA
Thu Jun 4, 2009 11:23 AM
The fact is, your suggestion will either be ignored, or will actually be given consideration, dependent on your leadership. Poor leaders are fearful and insecure, and continually find ways to put people down to maintain their power. They don't want to hear your ideas, unless it is their own. That's why most of these programs don't work! The governement is notorious for putting people in charge that "Did the time", and truly have no leadership ability. Most of the good leaders left the governemnt early in their career, or are waiting their turn.
Re: Suggetsion Box only works with the right leadershi
VA
Thu Jun 4, 2009 1:38 PM
Re Suggestion Box only works with the right leader
Air Force
Thu Jun 4, 2009 9:20 PM
HR Spec -- I'm not Supervisor DLA, but your response is so typical of HR who don't understand outside their books. Here's two hints:
1. They eat -- then I eat.
2. They sleep -- then I sleep.
There's a lot more to it than that, but those who don't understand this basic part won't get the hard parts.
Re: Re Suggestion Box only works with the right leader
VA
Fri Jun 5, 2009 10:17 AM
Leadership
Air Force
Fri Jun 5, 2009 10:20 PM
Didn't think you would understand.
Supervisor DLA provided a readily understandable explanation of how some "leaders" fail in basic leadership skills. You challenged it so I provided some basic examples of leadership. I didn't say all, everything, or even the day to day tasks. I said the basics. If you wish to learn leadership, you must first understand that a leader serves those he leads. Those who follow must come first. End of lesson one.
An Open Letter to Mr. Smith
DOS
Tue Jun 9, 2009 7:55 AM
Your snarky comments ("Perhaps they just wanted credit for setting up the program. Perhaps they thought their program was so important everyone in government knew how to find their blog site and was very familiar with the important work they were doing") about the White House's efforts to set up are not helpful. The online forum you wrote about was sabotaged through sliming by individuals with unrelated political axes to grind. My point is this: Online dialogues, to be effective, require on-point, substantive contributions. The individuals who filled the Open Government Dialogue with pages and pages of scurrilous comments made me wonder whether it will ever be possible to conduct a similar initiative without similar results.