The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-03-25
Efficiency Ratings OF Govern
ment Employees
By BILL PRICE.

By BILL FR1CE.
The Bureau Efficiency has completed the 1rst eCaency
ratings of Government employees under the law
Desp the widespread dissatisfaction that has been caused
among thousands of workers IS not yet pos
ble to estimate the usefulness the fairness OF these ratings
which based upon system devised Dy experts OF tne
bureau
Az in anv new scheme involving so many workers. intimately
touching their salaries and very living is but natural
that many njusces occurred but there IN
the who feel that they have been badly treated
have right appeal the bureau which, under the re-
classification laws powers given it. easily the most
powerful personnel body the world holding the destnes
immense numbers of Government employees in its hands
Whatever may said the operations OF the bureau
and the mistakes may made in interpreting and adj
nering the Redistribution law its future power and very
existence depends upon dealing fairly and squary with civil
service workers and giving those with real grievances 1un
The weak SPOT in the rating machinery is the chance to
show favortism and settle The efficiency OF all en-
poye passed upon by sub chiefs and chiefs in various
divisions The human element enters hugely into the equation
The final ratings made by the Efficiency Bureau upon the
reports turned n Dy the sapeSr o al ne chiefs
their positions through political pull to use
their in passing upon those under them to favor OF
seriously harm good men and women.
The presumption is that the Bureau Of Efficiency the
supreme court in ratings viii constantly bear these POSSIBLE
those who may have used their small authority In preudiced
and unfair ways
Until the bureau time act however, numerous
njusces bound and of them will be
remeded because of the difficulties of presenting the facts
the efficiency rating machinery be brought to the
point Of partial perfection which will eliminate from the Gov
service the loaer gosspers and absolutely nef
then the bureau will have done the best piece Of work
Of its history for the Government but the bureau going to
be severely tested in the eyes Of the public and Of Congress in
passing upon hundreds Of Of injustice and In finding
way punish those small who have used their
authority for revenge fellow workers who happen to be
under them and not in favor with them
The bureau viii face bitter fight in the next Congress
its Redistribution work. and the forces arrayed against
viii be all the powerful and Representatives
get the impression that competent employees have been punished
by dismissal demoton through the cheng of petty chiefs
who themselves lacking in efficiency
Of
divisions hghmnded officials who will do justice by
those under them They have reached their positions mainly
through merit through political pull in addition But
there inefficient useless employees in the Government
service also there petty chiefs Of the stripe Yet
they important factors in giving good bad efficiency
ratings to those in subordinate positions
One thing to fear in connection with the present rating
methods the apparent tendency give low ratings to those
who getting along years there safeguard against
that then there will eventually be few employees be retired
the benefits Of the annuity fund They will be dismissed
before reaching that because their efficiency ratings fall
below the standards which enable them hold their positions
retirement law will not be necessary at all Efficiency
ratings will get rid Of the old workers long before the retire
ment age is reached.
That too serious problem for the heads of the Eff
cency Bureau to reckon with and pass upon number
been in the service for and had good records
to the time the Xay Of efficiency methods put
them and revealed shortcomings nobody knew they had