Worker safeguards

Some unions and federal employees are concerned about certain elements of the National Security Personnel System that could create unfair working conditions and cronyism, but the 2004 Defense Authorization bill included provisions to ensure fair treatment of employees.

Some of those provisions include:

Hiring practices based on merit.

A fair employee performance appraisal system.

A link between the performance management system and an agency's strategic plan.

Employee involvement in the design and implementation of the system.

Adequate training for supervisors, managers and employees in the implementation and operation of the performance management system.

A process for ensuring ongoing performance feedback and dialogue between managers and employees.

Effective safeguards to ensure that management of the system is fair and equitable.

Source: National Defense Authorization Act for 2004