Proposals Would Broaden Sensitive Positions and Change Appeal Rights
The Obama administration has proposed a rule to expand the definition of federal positions designated as “sensitive,” causing backlash among whistleblower advocates who say the change will deny rights to those who speak out against bad governance.
The Office of Personnel Management and Office of the Director of National Intelligence issued the rule to clarify which civil service jobs are considered national security positions. That designation would be expanded to include positions that are labeled sensitive but filled by employees who do not have access to classified information. The Government Accountability Project criticized the proposal, saying the guidelines could “rebrand virtually any federal government position” as sensitive.
The result, GAP explained, would strip many employees of the rule of law currently provided under the civil service system, which does not extend appeal rights to employees in sensitive jobs. It would eliminate recourse for federal workers who are fired or demoted -- including whistleblowers -- if they are deemed to have a national security role.
Administration officials say they are not expanding the number of sensitive positions, but merely adding clarity.
“The current regulations governing the designation of national security sensitive positions are now 20 years old and provide only general guidance,” OPM and ODNI officials said in a joint statement to Government Executive. “The new regulations will clarify the requirements and procedures agencies should follow when designating national security positions by providing more detail and concrete examples. This regulation is not intended to increase the number of positions designated as national security sensitive or to affect the rights of employees.”
http://www.govexec.com/management/2013/05/white-house-seeks-broaden-sensitive-positions-and-change-appeal-rights/64010/?oref=river
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"This regulation is not intended to increase the number of positions designated as national security sensitive or to affect the rights of employees."
Um ... but it will do both of those things. How am I supposed to believe that this new regulation is not intended to do these things? Am I supposed to believe that this new regulation will become law unintentionally?
-Laelth