The Washington times., 1925-05-29
Giving Government Employees
a Fair Chance
BY Bull PRICE.

the Personnel Classification Board making apparently
efforts give Government employees taT ana
square deal the matter of classification aOcaons ana
efficiency ratings removing far possible elements OF
injustice that have caused complaint
the spirit in which these personnel agencies are now
proceeding prevails future the form concrete rules
Just procedure much of the i'll feeling engendereo Dy
reclassificaon ALLEGATIONS and efficiency ratings may De
ped out making for greater contentment the part OF
Government employees and improved efficiency that will be
Of value Uncle Sam.
The decision has reached by the Personne Cassca
on Board it is stated where employees fall below the
n;mum Of efficiency desired Government workers, and
become subject to dismissal they shall be given thirty days
notice of intended dismissal for neffcency during which
time they viii the right to appeal to the board pre-
sentinp what evidence they may have that the ratings are
unfair and unjust.
The main weakness in efficiency ratings that they may be
subject to prejudice or personal i'll will the part Of rating
officers In the majority Of instances this will not be
true because rating officers in all departments and bureaus
are impartial men and who have thought Of doing
other than Justice to under them It manifest though
shat narrownded preudced rating officers would have
It in their power work deep inustices to some OF those
under them and unduy favor others VINO happened 70 pe N
rood standing at rating periods.
he Personnel Reclassicaon Board will enter upon huge
tas in hearing appeals this is the only method that viii
niize wrongs There little doubt that in most cases
where efficiency ratings are too low to permit employees TO
remain in the service the ratings viii be sustained but there
4 consoation the thought that has been done
win be righted by appeal body
Efficiency ratings may unjust still not be TO
the charge deliberate prejudice These ratings are based
mon certain service elements which given credits If you
should put fifty rating officers to work rating 1000 en-
poyes Of identca the classification the ratings would
materially differ much depending upon the interpretation Of
credits by different
In permitting appeals from ratings which bring sepa
ration from the the Personnel Classification Board
vii be put in close touch with the rated and the rating
officers and viii gain valuable knowledge as to the state OF
mind and methods rating officers thereby subJectng these
officials to something the way of ratings themselves
Square and honest rating officers will stand well with the
board the other kind there will be put on record
The summary dismissal of Government workers just al
strange dog would kicked off premises violates every
Of right The man or woman about to lose position
entitled to some advance knowledge in order to have short
time to look for other work The Government expects its
workers when resgnng gives advance notice OF their
intention fixing time for separation. This too, is fair
Some months aeo several hundred the
rnent Printing Office dismissed without the slightest
warning Many Of them received dismissal notices as
they left their work afternoon the separation taking
place instantly Of thing positively indecent
tno everv sense Of the agreeable relations that should
srrt hetween EMPLOYERS and employees two hundred
poyes Of any Government establishment to suddenly
quit their positions IN this manner there would be great
Uncle Sam install ideal relations between himself and
III. oe az an example to all EMPLOYERS and to all workers
e should not only pay salaries and wages in the
country principle Of all workers being entitled to
living but he should exercise every principle Of righteous
treatment seeing that kicked without
making defence before appeal officials bodies
The board likewise at work upon methods for standadiz
r appeals ALLEGATIONS This another
toward fair treatment employees who may feel that
have properly aocated and not getting the
salaries they deserve.
Il is assumed definite procedure will be authorized
BY board and the details made clear to all Government
employees they will know what their rights and
viii be position exercise those rights With the board
and Government departments and bureaus cooperating
through appeal officers there ought to to Government
workers a feeling that wrongs will be remedied
In the matter Of credits for length of service and for de-
pendents agencies yet to
have reached It is possible how
official OF the Government can object to giving
who have served well and faithfully and by of
the experience information they have acquired able
render efficient service than those who just coming
into the employ of the Government
Under the efficiency rating system of good
service meritoous work for nothing, and
employees may be among the first go when reductions of
force made credits given for service and also for
domestic responsibilities there will be less of this kicking