80 FR 53352 - Survey Renewal for FY 2015-Request for Comment

OFFICE OF SPECIAL COUNSEL

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 171 (September 3, 2015)

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter35), and implementing regulations at 5 CFR part 1320, the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC), plans to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for use of a previously approved information collection consisting of an electronic survey form. The current OMB approval for the OSC Survey expires 10/31/15. We are submitting the electronic survey for renewal, based on its pending expiration. There are several changes being submitted with this request for renewal of the use of the OSC survey. Current and former Federal employees, employee representatives, other Federal agencies, state and local government employees, and the general public are invited to comment on this for the second time. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection consisting of our survey is necessary for the proper performance of OSC functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of OSC's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 171 (Thursday, September 3, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53352-53353]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-21780]


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OFFICE OF SPECIAL COUNSEL


Survey Renewal for FY 2015--Request for Comment

AGENCY: Office of Special Counsel.

ACTION: Second notice for public comment.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. Chapter35), and implementing regulations at 5 CFR part 1320, the 
U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC), plans to request approval from 
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for use of a previously 
approved information collection consisting of an electronic survey 
form. The current OMB approval for the OSC Survey expires 10/31/15. We 
are submitting the electronic survey for renewal, based on its pending 
expiration. There are several changes being submitted with this request 
for renewal of the use of the OSC survey. Current and former Federal 
employees, employee representatives, other Federal agencies, state and 
local government employees, and the general public are invited to 
comment on this for the second time. Comments are invited on: (a) 
Whether the proposed collection consisting of our survey is necessary 
for the proper performance of OSC functions, including whether the 
information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of OSC's 
estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) 
ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of 
information on respondents, including through the use of automated 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

DATES: Comments should be received by October 5, 2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karl Kammann, Chief Financial Officer, 
at the address shown above; by facsimile at (202) 254-3711.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: OSC is an independent agency responsible 
for, among other things, (1) investigation of allegations of prohibited 
personnel practices defined by law at 5 U.S.C. 2302(b), protection of 
whistleblowers, and certain other illegal employment practices under 
titles 5 and 38 of the U.S. Code, affecting current or former Federal 
employees or applicants for employment, and covered state and local 
government employees; and (2) the interpretation and enforcement of 
Hatch Act provisions on political activity in chapters 15 and 73 of 
title 5 of the U.S. Code.
    Title of Collection: Office of Special Counsel (OSC) Annual Survey; 
OMB Control Number 3255-0003, Expiration 10/31/2015.
    OSC is required to conduct an annual survey of individuals who seek 
its assistance. Section 13 of Public Law 103-424 (1994), codified at 5 
U.S.C. 1212 note, states, in part: ``[T]he survey shall--(1) Determine 
if the individual seeking assistance was fully apprised of their 
rights; (2) determine whether the individual was successful either at 
the Office of Special Counsel or the Merit Systems Protection Board; 
and (3) determine if the individual, whether successful or not, was 
satisfied with the treatment received from the Office of Special 
Counsel.''
    The same section also provides that survey results are to be 
published in OSC's annual reports to Congress. Copies of prior years' 
annual reports are available on OSC's Web site, at https://osc.gov/Pages/Resources-ReportsAndInfo.aspx or by calling OSC at (202) 254-
3600. The survey form for the collection of information is available by 
calling OSC at (202) 254-3600. Type of Information Collection Request: 
Approval of previously approved collection of information that expires 
on 10/31/2015, with some revisions. The Disclosure Unit was added for 
the first time to the electronic survey of individuals with cases 
resolved in FY 2014. The second major change is that the survey is 
hosted by Survey Monkey, (https://www.surveymonkey.com) rather than 
being an in-house supported IT tool. A future enhancement will add an 
additional question to the survey about the user's experience with our 
new OSC Form 14 Wizard and electronic complaint form, which is 
currently in development.
    Affected public: Current and former Federal employees, applicants 
for Federal employment, state and local government employees, and their 
representatives, and the general public.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.

[[Page 53353]]

    Estimated Annual Number of Survey Form Respondents: 320.
    Frequency of Survey form use: Annual.
    Estimated Average Amount of Time for a Person to Respond to survey: 
12 minutes.
    Estimated Annual Survey Burden: 109 hours.
    This survey form is used to survey current and former Federal 
employees and applicants for Federal employment who have submitted 
allegations of possible prohibited personnel practices or other 
prohibited activity for investigation and possible prosecution by OSC, 
and whose matter has been closed or otherwise resolved during the prior 
fiscal year, on their experience with OSC. Specifically, the survey 
asks questions relating to whether the respondent was: (1) Apprised of 
his or her rights; (2) successful at the OSC or at the Merit Systems 
Protection Board; and (3) satisfied with the treatment received at the 
OSC.

    Dated: August 25th, 2015.
Carolyn N. Lerner,
Special Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2015-21780 Filed 9-2-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7405-01-P