Military

National Security Personnel System Survey Period Extended

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, July 20, 2005 – Response to a survey about the new National Security Personnel System has been "enthusiastic," so defense officials have extended the survey period through July 27 so civil service employees get more opportunity to participate.

In addition, a recent switch to a new computer server will allow more respondents to access the survey, log on and begin filling out the survey with little wait time, said Sharon Stewart, chief of human resources for the program. Some initial respondents complained that the online survey took too long to access before the server change, Stewart explained.

The new National Security Personnel System Factor Survey gives general schedule employees the chance to register their views about several performance factors identified for inclusion in the new personnel system.

Response has been "enormous," Stewart said, and many civil service employees have requested an extension of the survey period.

Gordon England, acting deputy secretary of defense, emphasized the survey's importance and urged employees to participate in a June 29 memo.

"We need your assistance to ensure that these performance factors are relevant and reflect work that you personally perform on your job," he wrote.

Participation is voluntary, and all responses are confidential, Charles Abell, principal deputy undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, emphasized during an interview with the Pentagon Channel and the American Forces Press Service.

Stewart explained the protections in place to ensure that confidentiality: Employees access the survey through a secure system, and their passwords are used only to control access and provide data for statistical analysis. Login information is transmitted from respondents' work stations through the Internet using a secure encryption system. Direct access to the database is limited to approved users only. And once the data is collected, all password information will be destroyed.

Stewart urged employees to participate in the survey, which takes 15 to 20 minutes to complete, and to report their experience with the survey process through the survey Web site. "Your responses will make a difference, so please take this opportunity to let us hear from you about the relevance of performance factors in your job," she said.

The survey is posted at www.pfsurvey.net/nsps.

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Jul2005/20050720_2162.html