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Show HILL TOP TIMES g Thursday, July 3, 1986 W pprans(iis "The appraisal system provides the information used to select people for promotions, training opportunities and rewards," said Chuck McKenzie, labor relations specialist at Hill. "It also provides a feedback between supervisor and employees. If used properly, the appraisal can let a person know where he stands with his supervisor and where improvement is needed to get at least a fully success- By Ernie Shannon Ogden ALC Public Affairs Office e and Recognition of a job constructive criticism of work needing well-don- improvement can inspire employees to higher levels of performance. That's the goal of the annual civilian appraisal program, a goal that involves communication and feedback between a supervisor and the people under his direction. And when that goal is achieved, the award can vary from a promotion to letters of recog- nition. The period during which appraisals are prepared can be one filled with anxiety for employees. Nevertheless, it's the one means by which government can adequately grade job performance and decide future promotions in a system that has literally millions of participants. It's officially called the Civilian Performance and Promotion Appraisals. It grades an employee in nine areas ranging from work effort to relationships with fellow workers. The grad- ing can include a near complete failure to perform work duties to an out- standing effort. In between are seven areas of increasingly successful grades and it is in here that the majority of appraisals falL Donspnire . ful rating." Since such weight is placed on the appraisals, it becomes essential that supervisors exercise good judgment and fairness when rating a subordinate. In a letter distributed o all base supervisors, civilian personnel warns them there is only one chance to rate an employee. Contrary to yearly queries, there is no such thing as an "open season" for appraisals. The letter stresses "extreme care should be taken to assure ratings are accurate and fair." Another misconception by some is that appraisal evaluators set some kind of quota for each performance level in an attempt to have a broad range of ratings. In the words of Mr. McKenzie, "We certainly don't want a situation where there's an overabundance of superior ratings or very Congress hopeful military retirement system changes will up service longevity After two years of study and debate, Congress has approved legislation changing the military retirement system for people who enter on Aug. 1 or later. Those now on active duty or already retired are not affected. new order the In to encourage longer service, retirement system initially reduces retired pay for those who retire before reaching 30 years' service but adjusts retired pay at age 62. That early reduction is 1 percentage point off the current retirement rate for each year before 30 years' service. For instance, people who retire under the new system after 20 years' military service will initially Published by MorMedia, Inc., a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive written contract with Hill AFB. This commercial enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. military services. Contents of the Hill Top Times are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, or the Department of the Air Force. The appearance of advertisements in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of the Air Force or MorMedia, Inc. of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the Public Affairs Office of Ogden Air Logistics Center. Hill AFB Editorial Staff: Public Affairs Officer . . . Lt. Col. Larry P. Summers Brent T. Aguirre Editor Chris Baierschmidt Staff Writers Amn. Jay A. Joersz, Charles Freeman Deadlines: Editorial: 4 p.m. Monday week of publication "Around the Hill" items: 10 a.m. Monday week of publication Classified ads: 2 p.m. Wednesday week of poor grades unless that's really the case." And that simply isn't reality. In the actual workplace, the ratings chart would form a rainbow with a small minority on the low end of the scale and a tiny grouping on the high end. The success of the appraisal system depends on fair judgments by supervisors of those who work under them. Nevertheless, employees do have an avenue to question an appraisal or a judgment they consider unfair. JThe Master Labor Agreement between Headquarters Air Force Logistics Command and the American Federation of Government Employees enables people covered by the agreement to submit grievances. If necessary, the grievance can even go to an outside arbiter. "In some cases we've had professors from Weber State College serve as arbiters," Mr. McKenzie said. Any employee can file a grievance, but there are separate procedures for union members and other employees. Another important aspect of the appraisal system is the recognition of good work. This can be done in several ways, depending on the appraisal and the supervisor's decision. A lump-sucash award is available to those who achieve a Sus one-tim- e, m draw 40 percent of their high-thre- e average basic pay, compared to 50 percent now. That means a 10 percent penalty for retiring 10 years before reaching 30 years' service. At age 62, retired pay will be recomputed to what it would have been without the penalty. Under the new system, future military retirees will receive annual cost of living adjustments 1 percent below the inflation rate as measured by the Consumer Price Index. Presently, retirees are entitled to COLA raises equal to inflation. However, the new system also provides for a oneAt age 62, future military time COLA "catch-up.- " retirees will have their retired pay adjusted to what it would have been, assuming full COLA raises all e catch-uadjustment, along. After that their COLA raises will resume at 1 percent below the inflation rate. Along with everyone presently on active duty or retired, people in the Delayed Enlistment Program p one-tim- 4tfh) ff tained Superior Performance Award. The award may be anywhere from 1 to 5 percent of the basic pay. Supervisors may also recommend a Quality Step Increase. This is more expensive than a cash award and is generally used to recognize a difference in performance among employees of the same grade and position. Because the step increase involves a permanent change in pay, care must be taken to grant it judiciously and only when the highest quality performance is realized and the employee clearly merits faster than usual salary ad- vancement. For those who do not meet the criteria for a cash award, yet exceed the expected in their duty performance, letters of commendation or appreciation are available. The letter may be awarded for any unusual achievement or project and is considered during appraisal. These letters are useful when wishing to recognize an employee for a suggestion, for instance, that didn't receive a monetary award yet was commendable. They are especially appropriate for civic or professional activity related to job duties. These may include speeches or participation in conferences. or in service academies before Aug. 1 are not affected. Reserve Officer Training Corps scholarship cadets in two-yecadets and ROTC programs or on the last two years of a four-yea- r program also are not affected. Prior service enlistees who return to active duty after Aug. 1 will be eligible to retire under the current system if they initially entered service before ar non-scholarsh- ip Aug. 1. Although the Air Force opposed any change to military retirement, the changes mandated by Congress preserve the basic structure of the system and protect those who typically are no longer actively employed in a second career beyond age 62. Moreover, despite these changes, the military retirement system remains competitive with the best private sector plans by offering immediate retired pay after 20 years of service, relatively high multipliers, adjustment for inflation, and no member con(AFNS) tributions, Air Force officials say. JuQy Independence Day celebration set Hot dogs and drinks, watermelon, popcorn and By Charles Freeman Ogden ALC Public Affairs Office The weeks of planning, organizing, and scheduling have finally come to an end as thousands of people will converge on Hill AFB tomorrow to kick off the annual July 4th celebration for military members, their dependents and guests. The grand event is sponsored by Morale, Welfare and Recreation and promises to be one of the best Independence Day celebrations the base has ever experienced. h This year organizers have put together a severwill feature of which activities program al new events as well as old favorites. view of the festivities and makWith a bird's-eying their first appearence in tomorrow's "hoedown" will be a team of skydivers from the Det. 4, 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron. Others who may want to get off the ground for a view of the crowd will be able to take discount plane rides with the base Aero Club. Regardless of age, the free event is designed for everyone to enjoy. The following is a schedule of tomorrow's events: 1 p.m. 1:15 p.m. 1:30 p.m. 2 p.m. 2:30 p.m. 3 p.m. old-fashion- ed top-notc- e 8 a.m. 10 a.m. 1 1 a.m. 11:15 a.m. Noon . Annual 1 0K time prediction run Youth pitch, hit and run competition Chili cook-of- f begins Free swim (outdoor pools 1 1 :00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.) Pet decorating contest (judged) Bike decorating contest (Judged) Parade: Commissary parking lot to Centennial Park p.m.) Reduced bowling (3 games for $1Noon-Clowns and balloon artists (Noon-p.m.) Food and game booths open (free) 8 2 12:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. sno-cone- Face painting, balloon darts, basketball toss Pottery demonstration; Creative painting board Skydivers (Det 4. 40th ARRS) Wasatch Connection (cloggers) Canine demonstration (security police) Chiefs vs Company Grade Officers' Softball game Lip sync show (Robert Horn) Reduced Golf ($4 for 1 8 holes, carts included: schedule tee times in advance) Water balloon toss Magic show (Marvin Hardy) Dunk tank opens Watermelon seed spitting contest Tug-O-W- 4 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 5 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 6 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 7 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 9:45 p.m. s One man band (Jeff Murray) Amoeba race Bluegrass music (Hen House Five) Three-legge- sack race Music (Steve and Jan Nelson) Egg toss; Chairs game Pie eating contest 555h Air Force Band (concert in Centennial Park) Knots game Fireworks Happy JOOth birthday |