Classification, Pay, Appeals Rights at Issue

Among the main aspects of the NSPS system yet to be defined in even a proposed form are changes to job classification and pay that officials have said will move employees to a pay banding and pay-for-performance environment. Changes to employee appeal rights also have been outlined in only sketchy terms. In contrast to the very public deliberation process at the Department of Homeland Security, which is involved in a similar overhaul, DoD has mainly been working on its plans internally, with input from the Office of Personnel Management and the General Accounting Office-input that some in Congress have criticized as inadequate. Says the letter, “we want to ensure that all stakeholders in the new system-including civilian employees, managers and exclusive representatives [unions]-have an opportunity to provide their thoughts, ideas, views and concerns” through town hall sessions, Q and A sessions with officials involved in the NSPS design and other forums.