DoD Requests Personnel Changes

The Pentagon has asked Congress for authority to make several changes in personnel policies, including a simplified and faster method of processing of employment discrimination complaints, based on a pilot project that previously was conducted in the Air Force that it said cut processing time by a third. The project consolidated the investigative and hearing phases of complaints and stressed the aggressive and early use of alternative dispute resolution; DoD proposes to offer that as a voluntary alternative for employees bringing such complaints. DoD also asked for expedited hiring authority for certain acquisition positions, saying the Army for example has an immediate need for 1,000 more contracting professionals. In addition, it asked that employees being deployed in support of contingency operations—essentially meaning combat—be allowed to elect or increase life insurance coverage under the FEGLI program.