The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-05-12
The Efficiency Rating System
Needs Revision
By BILL PRICE.

By BILL PRICE.
President COOLIDGE be consulted about modification
efficiency rating system now in effect for
employees Officials Efficiency Bureau and the Personnel
classification Board which administers the existing system
are accord asking the President to authorize changes
The present rating system was devised at the request OF
President HARDING who seemed to feel that the old law
directing efficiency ratings should be carried out although
It was passed many years ago and fails to authorize credits
for of valuable elements of civil service en-
ployment.
The Government which behind modern business in
situations in the Of its employees is trying to do
something large employers of labor in private business
have been unable with full system of
efficiency ratings that will work out equaby is mighty
hard rate through mathematics the human qualifications
and characteristics spell the difference between efficient
inefficient workers The effort becomes douby doubtful
when the rating done by hundreds or thousands OF rating
officers whose views the work and abilities of employees
under them vary immensely.
In the the rating system in effect
let take for example 1000 employees in various depart
who doing practically the work
and in the classification under the
In all probability sixty rating officers, will give
the ratings these 1000 workers Their ideas will be far
apart Some will be liberal in their Interpretation of the ele
rated Others will be strict and unfair all
depending the viewpoint of the chief who does the rating
There reviewing officers of but here the sit
The outcome that the ratings in
nature and far from equitable difficult to get
inustices wrongs rghed Appeals may made
but the tendency to regard appeals employees as
simply "kcks" from disconnected women
There many other things that not enter into
ratings that materially affect the welfare and civil service
standing of employees The rating officers not be
politically or personally preudiced If they happen to be-
then it is within their power favor pets the pets Of others
to whom they may be obligated It likewise in their power
do much harm those who do not happen to enjoy their
good will.
noteworthy that efficiency ratings
been successful in the Government service Until President
Harding requested the Efficiency Commission to devise this
system that commission had only worked ratings the
request of departments or bureaus realizing that much de-
pended upon the administration Of rating systems
In department where rating system installed at
the request OF Cabinet officer some years ago. the system
permit political other considerations to enter into the
ratings He succeeded by chief clerk who dis
system this official put force his interpretations of
the system in such away that the ratings made under him
different from the ratings under the other as
night is from day.
That thing possible all times under any rating
system manifest injustice to employees who supposed
to be marked strictly merton quality and quantity of
work. etc.
head of the Efficiency Bureau who has built up this
organization beginning until power in the
civil establishment Of Uncle SAM desires the
present system modified that credits be given
for length Under the law there recognition
of long service which should and does bring with it
prence and knowledge that is useful it deserves being
rated as an important element employees
Under various laws the of the countys
given preference in employment matters and that carries with
credit their efficiency ratings that is mighty helpful
to them.
MEN and women who have served their country well
and faithfully in the civil service clearly entitled to just
service worthy Yet under
the law and the present system length of service has
advantages it does in the and elsewhere
The youngest and oldest employees rated elements some
of which far removed from and unconncted with quantity
quality experience of years. accumulation
for nothing Neither does loyalty devotion the dependa
bility which should from long service.
This is most discouragng to those who will spend their
lives in the Government service the Government expects
get the best there of and
have to give them something to strive thing being
certainty they something or year
that will enable them to do better and intelligent work
for their employer they will get credit for length
a credit that will aid them to higher salaries.