SAVE Award 2011 Ideas

Supervisors often discourage employees off-the-record -- usually through an unofficial verbal disapproval so there's no record of them not supporting a cost-saving program -- from exercising the option to participate in the telework program. Some forward-thinking organizations are supportive and the program works well. Managers in other organizations, however, have the mentality that they need to see their people to... more »

Federal employees have developed an edge in time management- due to ever-changing requirements mandating quick-turnarounds on work. Most of us have learned to accomplish our daily tasks with time to spare (for adminstrative tasks.) Creating more part-time positions (particularly in D.C.) would reduce traffic; reduce the overall cost of paying employees, reduce the government's expenses for federal employee commuting... more »

NASA sends thousands of trainees to Wallops Island, Virginia each year for various training classes (procurement, program manager, green tech, negotiations, etc). These classes are anywhere from 1-3 weeks long. Class sizes are 10-30 students each.

At the end of each class (regardless of class length) the entire class goes to an expensive restaurant for dinner paid for by NASA. There is no budget or limit set on the students.... more »

Be realistic in evaluating employees. For reasons unbeknownst to me, everyone I work with thinks they deserve to be promoted and it is just not so! So, then of course, they develop bad attitudes and are dismotivated. Those who are stellar have to put up with this nonsense of entitlement. If managers would be more clear and fair in their evaluations they'd have better employees, with better attitudes, better work ethics,... more »

If you don't manage at least 8 people then you should not be a manager. I report to my boss who directly supervises 4 people. Her boss directly supervises 3 people. This goes up the chain about 7 levels (each supervising 3-6 people on average). This makes getting higher level approvals very time consuming and flow of information poor. It also provides too much justification for abundant meetings for "managers" at... more »

Most foreign service officers move into government furnished residences which - because of global contracts - are all furnished with almost identical pieces worldwide. Prior to arrival at Post the officers don't know what furniture they will have, nor what it looks like, nor does the Post ask what furniture the officer wants. This results in the government paying for furniture and moving costs, only to have the officer... more »

Leadership and certain employees go to many conferences that have nothing to do with their jobs or programs we have at our hospital. They never report back on what they learned or bring anything back, so it doesn't really help the medical center or veterans at all. This has gone on for the past 14 years I've worked here and it's getting worse. People need to travel for educational conferences that are related to their... more »

The mandate to issue JOA's that limit applicants to veterans and existing goverment employees is not in the best interest of the government. What is happening is that a mass amount of military retirees who are drawing government retirement are being hired into civilian jobs. Why would the government let someone retire from the military with 20+ years only to be rehired into a civilian job. It would definitely be more... more »

Thousands of government employees are now performing their duties via teleworking. The benefit to workers has been great, both qualitatively and quantitatively. Now it's time for the government to maximize it's benefit. I suggest having "set" weekly, bi-weekly or monthly telework days. This would allow building lighting and heating / cooling loads to be reduced to non-occupied levels. The direct energy savings to the... more »