Office of Special Counsel August 25, 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC), plans to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for use of an expanded version of an approved information collection consisting of an electronic customer survey form. OSC is required by law to conduct an annual survey of those who seek its assistance. The information collection is used to carry out that mandate. However, the additional questions for the survey cover a category of complaint, whistleblower disclosures, whose inclusion in the survey is not statutorily required, but rather is being done voluntarily by our agency. The 6 specific questions to be added are: ``Did the agency against which you filed the disclosure inform you about your right to make whistleblower disclosures, and the channels for making such disclosures?'' ``Did you obtain the action that you wanted from OSC?'' ``What reason did OSC give for closing your disclosure matter?'' (Check all that apply.)'' ``Did you agree with the reason OSC gave for closing your disclosure matter?'' ``If you answered ``no'' to the question in number 4 above, could you please elaborate? [below which is a free field text box].'' ``How would you rate the service provided by OSC in each of the following areas?'' The current OMB approval for this collection of information [without the new questions for the Disclosure Unit] does not expire until 10/31/2015. Current and former Federal employees, employee representatives, other Federal agencies, state and local government employees, and the general public are invited for a second time to comment on this information collection. Comments are invited on: (a) whether the proposed collection of information 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 collections 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.