Panel May Suggest Keeping NSPS

A preliminary report by a special DoD-formed panel reviewing the NSPS system does not recommend abolishing the program as its critics desire, although it does recognize issues they cite with it, including a lack of trust between employees and supervisors over the ratings system, and complexity and lack of transparency in the pay pool process. The pre-decisional paper recommends "reconstructing" NSPS by: continuing the current moratorium on moving more employees into NSPS until DoD can "present a corrective action plan to address identified issues, supported by data that the implemented corrective actions will address" those issues; keeping the current policies against putting union-represented employees or wage grade employees in it; and reestablishing a commitment to collaborating with unions and other employee organizations. The task group under the Defense Business Board is due to make its final recommendations in the fall.