11 votes
Suggest that all supervisors work as front line staff for one week every quarter - total 4 weeks a month. This would provide supervisor with recent experience of front line staff work environment and can relate to staff better. This would also save four weeks worth of salary (save money).
15 votes
Each Civilian position needs to be evaluated by people outside the particular area to see where employees can be moved from one position to another that would need more people. I know several areas that do not have 8 hours worth of work while other positions are struggling to keep their head above water. During a time of a budget crisis we need to have all employees' positions pushed to a level where all employees have ...more »
Each Civilian position needs to be evaluated by people outside the particular area to see where employees can be moved from one position to another that would need more people. I know several areas that do not have 8 hours worth of work while other positions are struggling to keep their head above water. During a time of a budget crisis we need to have all employees' positions pushed to a level where all employees have a feeling of being super busy.
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20 votes
The Federal Workforce is FAT. Everybody knows that. The only way to trim it is to identify the fat. I, of course, believe that the Executive branch has no real intention of cutting jobs, so I understand this is an exercise in public relations. But here goes: Create an annonymous survey that all Federal employees would fill out. I think if done anonymously, the Federal workforce would identify excess employees. But the ...more »
The Federal Workforce is FAT. Everybody knows that. The only way to trim it is to identify the fat. I, of course, believe that the Executive branch has no real intention of cutting jobs, so I understand this is an exercise in public relations. But here goes:
Create an annonymous survey that all Federal employees would fill out. I think if done anonymously, the Federal workforce would identify excess employees. But the survey would have be worded very carefully.
With such a survey, excess employess could begin to be idenditified. But laying off employees is politically very difficult.
That's a start. You want to save hundreds of billions of dollars? Identify and trim the fat. The private sector does it all of the time. The Federal sector could do it too if it was more deliberate.
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14 votes
One Day Off or Furlough for one day starting from the top down to military and civilians. This idea would save the Government and the U.S.A. Nation funds on a yearly basis. The idea is spreading the furlough to all Government and Military but NOT at the SAME TIME. For God sake what is this government Idea on FURLOUGH EVERY ONE AT THE SAME TIME. I am putting this on bullets for simplicity, so the idea can be escalated ...more »
One Day Off or Furlough for one day starting from the top down to military and civilians.
This idea would save the Government and the U.S.A. Nation funds on a yearly basis. The idea is spreading the furlough to all Government and Military but NOT at the SAME TIME. For God sake what is this government Idea on FURLOUGH EVERY ONE AT THE SAME TIME. I am putting this on bullets for simplicity, so the idea can be escalated accordingly and steps can be added or removed.
1- Spread the furlough to Government employees and military to only one DAY (a day off without pay) but distributing the load to different employees at different time frame (not all at the same time.)
2- Starting from the President down to the Vice-President, Congressman, Senate everybody would received a day off without pay.
3- On the other hand, the same for all Military branches, starting from the top down, one day off without pay for generals, commanders, officers, and enlisted. Everyone will take it but not at the same time.
4- PAY Roll has to be set up to accommodate for this day off ensuring the day is not pay accordingly to the proposal. And not like few years ago when EVERYONE was off and EVERYONE still received payment for the days off. A nice free vacation with payment included.
5- We all need to remember, even if the president does not receive pay for one day, he is still the president with decision to make on HIS DAY OFF. And same thing with every military commander, pretty much they all giving a day off without pay but their executive officer or next in the change of command will be incharged.
6- There is always a backup plan when 25 or 50% of an outfit organization is off duty, the other 50% takes over and performs the function of the office. As the norm when a supervisor is off the next level supervisor takes charge until current supervisor comes back.
7- Do this for one year, equally shared to all branches of the government and military. Analyze the cost saving and if it works and does not hurt anyone, make it a proposal and mandate to future years.
8- This also can be implemented to States Government hierarchy.
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64 votes
Do not allow the Treasury Department to borrow money from Federal Retirement Funds. Removing money from any fund in the TSP will result in losses and could potentially have direct impacts on retirement funds. Stating "TSP participants should have nothing to worry about" does not guarantee there will be no impact. Even if they paid back the borrowed amount plus interest, where would we get back our "earnings" for the ...more »
Do not allow the Treasury Department to borrow money from Federal Retirement Funds. Removing money from any fund in the TSP will result in losses and could potentially have direct impacts on retirement funds. Stating "TSP participants should have nothing to worry about" does not guarantee there will be no impact. Even if they paid back the borrowed amount plus interest, where would we get back our "earnings" for the amount? We would be out that much more money in a so-called "no-risk" account.
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38 votes
http://www.hud.gov/complaints/fraud_waste.cfm -section 8 and low income housing encourages dependency and complacent behavior. Why work when you can get a house for practically free and keep collecting entitlements. ILLLEGAL squatting and unauthrized people live with a legal tenet often and this is a criminal offense since changes in family size and income are required to be reported. the section 8 system and low income ...more »
http://www.hud.gov/complaints/fraud_waste.cfm -section 8 and low income housing encourages dependency and complacent behavior. Why work when you can get a house for practically free and keep collecting entitlements. ILLLEGAL squatting and unauthrized people live with a legal tenet often and this is a criminal offense since changes in family size and income are required to be reported. the section 8 system and low income housing system is a complete failure which has drained the US economy of trillions of dollars and maintained tenets in social and financial bondage. there is no incentive to leave section 8 or low income housing. why work or attend college when you can get housing for free or low cost. This encouranges drug abuse and out of wedlock births and tenet abuse by housing squatters and unauthorized people living in the units. section 8 and low income housing also reduce local taxpayers home values and create blighted neighborhoods with loud music and cars with dark windows and dirty messy yards often with dirt as a yard.. SECTION 8 and LOW INCOME HOUSING TENETS NEED TIME LIMITS of 1 to 3 years then they must be evicted from the units since they are living on free enititlements and have no incentive to Raise themselves out of the free benefits. WAKE UP AMERICA! WE ARE TRILLIONS IN DEBT and giving away FREE BENEFITS . remember that all secion 8 and low income housing authoritys are TAX FREE and you pay the costs of educating the people and their rents are susidized and food and insurance are subsidized and paid for. its like the midlle and upper class is paying triple to live, we all have to pay for everyone else.. its not fair..http://www.hud.gov/complaints/fraud_waste.cfm
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19 votes
As we all know, GE paid no corporate taxes this year despite making billions in profits. If I, a lowly taxpayer, have to be subject to an AMT, corporations can too. It would bring in billions to reduce the national deficit. A corporate AMT of 10% seems reasonable and isn't too much to ask.
7 votes
Right now these partnerships are allowed, but our agency has blocked one since the beginning of this administration. We had a great working one until Bush 2 banned them. Mandate these partnerships so that employee and management issues can be discussed up front, to avoid problems down the line, and to foster a working relationship between employees and management.
10 votes
People with disabilities are usually warehoused once hired -- not considered for promotional opportunities, not mentored, not considered real employees with talents, goals, and the ability to contribute. Create a management track for people with disabilities to overcome these barriers.
65 votes
I can't tell you how many bad federal managers I've had who've skated through multiple grievances (which they lost), "gotcha" management styles, egregious incompetence and rampant employee abuse, and gone on to promotions and bonuses and a long federal career in management. Mandate management discipline, including loss of management position, bonuses and future employability as a manager until they can prove they've ...more »
I can't tell you how many bad federal managers I've had who've skated through multiple grievances (which they lost), "gotcha" management styles, egregious incompetence and rampant employee abuse, and gone on to promotions and bonuses and a long federal career in management.
Mandate management discipline, including loss of management position, bonuses and future employability as a manager until they can prove they've corrected all those bad traits. Mandate that every lost grievance be added to their OPF / performance record. Remove bad managers, the number one reason for waste, fraud and abuse in the federal system.
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8 votes
Our small office of 24 people has about $5K/year for everybody's training. SES training alone for one person is $7K+ so nobody in our office ever gets training to advance in our careers. Mandate a pool of training money at every agency for the smaller offices, for which people can apply for fellowships, SES training and other professional advancement training. The offices with $6 bilion budgets have no problem training ...more »
Our small office of 24 people has about $5K/year for everybody's training. SES training alone for one person is $7K+ so nobody in our office ever gets training to advance in our careers. Mandate a pool of training money at every agency for the smaller offices, for which people can apply for fellowships, SES training and other professional advancement training. The offices with $6 bilion budgets have no problem training their people, and the excellent people in the small offices are at a great professional disadvantage
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15 votes
I like most ideas on this website. I think that most ideas have come from somebody who is trying to do a great job at what they do. It has become so difficult to navigate through that, I have decided to take 15 minutes out of my day to dedicate to this at home on my own time. I believe that the top 25 contributors and top 25 idea submitters should be invited to bring their heads together and discuss what is really ...more »
I like most ideas on this website. I think that most ideas have come from somebody who is trying to do a great job at what they do.
It has become so difficult to navigate through that, I have decided to take 15 minutes out of my day to dedicate to this at home on my own time.
I believe that the top 25 contributors and top 25 idea submitters should be invited to bring their heads together and discuss what is really important to their agency and to the federal government as a whole.
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11 votes
Government employees with technical degrees perform their jobs according to their specific written performance appraisal and job description. Sometimes, because they are too close to their immediate work, they themselves cannot see where innovation in their own area might be made. As a counterpoint, an employee with advanced technical knowledge and enthusiasm might have good ideas that are readily applicable to another ...more »
Government employees with technical degrees perform their jobs according to their specific written performance appraisal and job description. Sometimes, because they are too close to their immediate work, they themselves cannot see where innovation in their own area might be made. As a counterpoint, an employee with advanced technical knowledge and enthusiasm might have good ideas that are readily applicable to another government laboratory or enterprise, but the employee is reluctant to discuss this with their immediate supervisors, for fear of being perceived as not concentrating on their own job.
I propose that an optional "20%" other technical activities be included in a Government employee's Job description, subject to normal supervisory and HR negotiation as to when and how this is to occur.
The benefit to the Government will be new, fresh, ideas, and increased patent and technology research and development, without new contracts and programs required, at least in the early phases of innovation.
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6 votes
Shiftworkers have special needs. Constantly changing work periods, need for extra sleep and proper nutrution, these people who do our most important work need special consideration. Most people wait a month to get a doctor's appt. How can it be that a shiftworker can plan in advance? Isn't that why they forego dentist and doctor appointments? Shift workers should have minimally six (6) paid days each year to take care ...more »
Shiftworkers have special needs. Constantly changing work periods, need for extra sleep and proper nutrution, these people who do our most important work need special consideration. Most people wait a month to get a doctor's appt. How can it be that a shiftworker can plan in advance? Isn't that why they forego dentist and doctor appointments?
Shift workers should have minimally six (6) paid days each year to take care of dental and medical, and possibly avail themselves of health- related classes, like sleep hygiene and nutrition. They should have free blood pressure screening and health checkups at
government expense. This will ensure that each of them, as well as their managers have their health in mind.
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9 votes
VetPro and EQuip are similiar systems in which the background of a potential employee is checked for authentication. When an employee comes on station, he or she has to fill out EQuip and any medical practitioner would need to complete VetPro. The systems require basically the same demographic information and they both require the employee to do their full history. By making these two systems work together, a potential ...more »
VetPro and EQuip are similiar systems in which the background of a potential employee is checked for authentication. When an employee comes on station, he or she has to fill out EQuip and any medical practitioner would need to complete VetPro. The systems require basically the same demographic information and they both require the employee to do their full history. By making these two systems work together, a potential employee would save time by only submiting into these tedious systems once.
Two alternatives can come from cooperation. The first option is being able to convert the information from one system to the next so the provider does not have submit the same information twice. The other option is to eliminate the need for EQuip submission on any provider that submits in VetPro. Then have the background screen initiated directly from VetPro. All other employees would need to submit into the EQuip system.
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6 votes
To have optional Federal employees to pay via their own Agency / Organizaiton the TAX Preparation fee.(for the tax preparation)
Having a local online site to have employees to make their incometax.
INSTEAD of pay any Joe's Tax Preparer, pay directly to the online agency for the tax preparation. Put the money back to the organization.
40 votes
With the growing number of FERS employees retiring or becoming eligible to retire, a system for checks and balances needs to be addressed to ensure retirees begin receiving their full entitlements within the first six months of retirement. This would limit the need for retirees to seek new employment and/or outside help.
19 votes
All will be surprised how much savings (and equity) can be brought when a little light is shined through mandatory, intra-agency, by-name posting/notification on all awards, promotions, bonuses, incentives, etc., etc., financial and otherwise, on at least a quarterly basis.
49 votes
Eliminate Government Vehicle for permanent Domicile-to-Duty (D2D) to Supervisor or high top management (Directors, Deputies, Chiefs, Supervisory-in-charges, or other in position that can be justified via the ranking and privilege hierarchy) 6 or 8 years ago all GS13-GS15 and some Senior Level Management in the SES executive position used to ride its own POV back and forth to work. Now every Supervisor Agent, Director, ...more »
Eliminate Government Vehicle for permanent Domicile-to-Duty (D2D) to Supervisor or high top management (Directors, Deputies, Chiefs, Supervisory-in-charges, or other in position that can be justified via the ranking and privilege hierarchy)
6 or 8 years ago all GS13-GS15 and some Senior Level Management in the SES executive position used to ride its own POV back and forth to work. Now every Supervisor Agent, Director, or Deputy in Charge in all Customs and Patrol Offices use Unmark Government unit (or GOV Vehicle) to go home and work everyday.
The cost per week is roughly (25 gallon tank x $3.00 = 75.00 assuming the gas would be or stay at 3 bucks, so this is a full tank of gas. Now, 75.00 x 52 weeks is = $3,900.00 for a year in GAS ONLY)
This expense along with the service and maintenance can run or add to about $6,000.00 (just adding the maintenance cost of $2,100, which is an average per year)
This would be an approximation expense of a single -user driving a Government vehicle to Domicile-to-Duty. THIS IS NOT taking in consideration the ACTUAL COST of the UNIT (how much a unit would cost $35,000 plain vanilla without any add-ons?), some of these units are 4-wheeled Trucks or suburban, typically a 15-20 miles per gallon vehicles, or new 4 doors V6 Sedans.
Now if you add all of the Domicile-to-Duty USERS for each Area. Let said 100 (just to round it up on a comfort zone), I would recommend for the agency to do an assessment / survey and to determine how many D2D users are in the office). This is 100 x $6,000 = $600,000 and this is not taking in consideration the Actual Cost of the vehicle, WOULD the vehicle needed for the mission or for D2D?
Now this figure could be as much as double if the personnel using the GOV Vehicles for longer trips or maybe an hour one way driving home back and forth (it could be as twice or as 3 time this cost.) The estimation would be a saving of 1.2 to 1.8 Million of dollar per year on ONLY 100 users driving Gov back and forth as domicile-to-duty.
Remember all Top Management, Directors, Deputies and Station-in-Charges officers can delegate their duties, there is always someone, especially at the 24/7/365 sites that are working and can conduct business for the office and can use the duty vehicle at the time if needed for official business.
Remember they all making the extra 25% increase payment and other incentive. We need to do a research or agency survey and find out who has a vehicle to take home, start cutting back and you’d see how much the Gov can save (At least a million per year)
With all due respect this Top Management / Directors should set the example to other on energy saving and cost effective reduction to the organization outfit, the Department of Homeland Security and the US Government programs.
See other ideas.
http://governmentreform.ideascale.com/a/dtd/Wind-turbine-and-Solar-Panels/122931-13060
http://governmentreform.ideascale.com/a/dtd/Equipment-CONSOLIDATION-and-ReUTILIZATION/123337-13060
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31 votes
Why is it that we have so many foreign nationals (H1B) employeed by the government as contractors. Our tax dollars are being used to bring in foreign nationals, absurd.
21 votes
Restructure the Earned Income Credit laws so it is only available to parents and legal guardians. It has become an income source for extended family members and friends that don’t even know the child’s birthday but claim they support the child. Also the Earned Income Credit should not be retroactive for three years to anyone who did not have a valid Social Security Number, especially if the taxpayer has not previously ...more »
Restructure the Earned Income Credit laws so it is only available to parents and legal guardians. It has become an income source for extended family members and friends that don’t even know the child’s birthday but claim they support the child. Also the Earned Income Credit should not be retroactive for three years to anyone who did not have a valid Social Security Number, especially if the taxpayer has not previously filed taxes. The credit should be restricted to the year the Social Security Number is received.
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8 votes
It's not just applicable to software! Use an iterative method of determining requirements (all products) and for delivering products in a highly flexible and interactive manner. The iterative life cycle products delivered by small teams in stages should be 'field-tested' prototypes with iterative complexity, which undergo regular status updates/customer reviews and lead to to strong functional requirements development ...more »
It's not just applicable to software! Use an iterative method of determining requirements (all products) and for delivering products in a highly flexible and interactive manner. The iterative life cycle products delivered by small teams in stages should be 'field-tested' prototypes with iterative complexity, which undergo regular status updates/customer reviews and lead to to strong functional requirements development (don't write requirements documents first!) Cut management overhead (and redundant CM board reviews+) using these PMBOK agile PM methodologies. To succeed the Team Lead/PM must have strong leadership and innovation skills by which to empowered individuals (smaller team/project leaders) from the relevant business and supplier and customer input must be received. Watch the return of innovation, accountability, and personal employee investment & self-motivation while dramatically reducing the cost and schedule!
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11 votes
The BOP should eliminate its local commuting area requirement when posting job vacancies. If the job announcement states travel and expenses are not authorized, we know that means you are responsible for paying your moving expenses. If I am willing to pay my way, I should not be disqualified just because I don't live 50-100 miles away from the institution. Besides this will save the agency money, and assist with our ever ...more »
The BOP should eliminate its local commuting area requirement when posting job vacancies. If the job announcement states travel and expenses are not authorized, we know that means you are responsible for paying your moving expenses. If I am willing to pay my way, I should not be disqualified just because I don't live 50-100 miles away from the institution. Besides this will save the agency money, and assist with our ever increasing diverst inmate population.
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33 votes
There should be a way for term people to convert to permanent people based on performance. If a person is fully successful in their position, and the agency wants to hire a permanent person for that position there should be a way to convert the term person. It is extremely inefficient for the government to spend time and resources processing a new job advertisement, holding interviews, processing a new candidate for the ...more »
There should be a way for term people to convert to permanent people based on performance. If a person is fully successful in their position, and the agency wants to hire a permanent person for that position there should be a way to convert the term person. It is extremely inefficient for the government to spend time and resources processing a new job advertisement, holding interviews, processing a new candidate for the position and then training a person if they already have a fully trained and successful person in the position. If the term person is selected as the candidate after the current process, then the government wasted time and money in the advertisement and interview stages. If the term person is fully successful for the position but did not qualify to interview solely because a veteran applied, then government wasted all of the resources and time it used to train the term employee to be an asset to the organization.
If term employees are doing a great job, why should the government let them go when they want a permanent person for the same position? If the term person is not fully successful in their position, then I can understand holding additional interviews. However, the way the current system is set up allows people who have proven themselves to be an asset be let go of.
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16 votes
All jobs posted on USAJOBS should be open to every single United States citizens. Never should it be open only to Agency employees only. This is a HUGE waste of time and taxpayer money. No one should be excluded from applying for a job simply because they are not with that agency. This practice needs to stop so that all have a fair chance of applying for a job.
