SAVE Award 2011 Ideas

Our workdays are frequently interrupted by "blast" emails intended for broad audiences. These emails serve as random interruptions that break up the rhythm of our work-tasks, and reduce our attention span and productivity. There are many peer-reviewed scientific journal articles supporting the negative effects of random distractions on attention and productivity, including reductions of our energy and efficiency. This... more »

There are too many employees in the federal government that are not getting the job done! A new people strategy needs to be implemented in the federal government to encourage hard work. What ever happened to 'working hard and doing your best, or else you'll be replaced'? Do we want to be a competitive country? Why do we continue to tolerate mediocrity?

I propose the following strategy, with the goal of placing the... more »

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 »

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) puts a $3,391 price tag on each employee who smokes: $1,760 in lost productivity and $1,623 in excess medical expenditures. In addition, estimated costs associated with secondhand smoke’s effects on nonsmokers can add up to $490 per smoker per year. On average, smokers miss 6.16 days of work per year due to sickness (including smoking related acute and chronic... more »

Of course, the Government is a composite of several agencies, departments, organizations and councils that operate under various mandates to more or less execute the business of service, legislation, regulation and enforcement.

Part of what makes the Government inefficient, and so costly, is its size. As before Government is not unified and the goals of the parts are not the goal of the whole.

Simply, the idea is... more »

In most branches, they have decided that wearing the Service Dress or "blues" is mandatory at least one day per week. While this may seem like a good idea to a general who sits behind a desk, in an air conditioned office all day long... it is FAR from realistic for most the jobs handled in the military. The cost of the uniforms to be constantly replaced, cleaned and altered is a burden to the people who wear them. Worst... more »

New government buildings can be built with a greater distance between the parking lot and the entrance, encouraging employees to exercise more for better health and productivity.

Across the government, millions of productivity hours are lost each year by using Internet Explorer. Switch to a better browser such as Chrome or Firefox to eliminate these losses.

Commuter Busses are a great way to go and come to work! Who really needs to drive to get into DC and congest these streets? Washington/Baltimore has now become the #1 worst traffic in the Nation (according to WTOP Radio--Chris Core). There is no need for all this! The government already subsidizes these busses, but they do not do much to encourage these practices. Each filled Commuter Bus can take off approximately 50... more »

As the number of GSA vehicles in our fleet grows, more and more time and fuel is spent shuttling these vehicles in town to an authorized service center for the most basic of needs.

We are not according to contract authorized to use shop supplies, equipment, of facilities to do the simplest items of maintenance and upkeep.

It seems counter productive when a vehicle needs a headlamp, windshield wiper blade, oil change,... more »

Update computer equipment, to increase employee productivity.

 

We currently waste time, because of slow computers, slow computer connections, lack of needed software, malfunctioning computers

When purchasing supplies and equipment, look at how they will affect the users' productivity. It is cheaper to purchase supplies and equipment that make it easier and faster for employees to do their jobs.

Federal agencies need to start planning for a more decentralized work force. Part of this planning should be to carefully evaluate position descriptions with particular attention to job location. My employer recently changed my duty station, obligating $75,000 in relocation funds for me to move ~600 miles. I chose not to move my family or sell my house and instead rented an apartment near my new duty station. This decision... more »

When painting/repainting is required, use the most productivity-enhancing color there is.

Buildings are costly to maintain and it is a security risk to have Federal employees gathered in one place. Virtual employees also have less commuting stress & expense and are more focused on proving their productivity. Equip & permit all employees to work virtually except when face-to-face meetings are required; lease building space for that purpose.