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cat-samjas-0l9

Member since 4 years ago

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Ideas contributed by cat-samjas-0l9

• I agree

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  20 votes

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  Legal & Policy Challenges »

  A Comment on the New Credit Card Bill...

  I only hope it addresses an issue close to me, one I ran into with a card called "CareCredit." After incurring and paying off early a several thousand dollar vet bill for my cat, with the exception of 300.00 out of nearly 6K, the credit card company first erroneously charged me interest after a few months when it should have been free for a year, and worse, much worse, I learned they charged me interest on the 5000.00 ...more »

  I only hope it addresses an issue close to me, one I ran into with a card called "CareCredit." After incurring and paying off early a several thousand dollar vet bill for my cat, with the exception of 300.00 out of nearly 6K, the credit card company first erroneously charged me interest after a few months when it should have been free for a year, and worse, much worse, I learned they charged me interest on the 5000.00 (+) I had paid off seven months early! Before that happened, I didn't even know credit card companies were charging interest on amounts paid off, when the balance was not paid in full. (5700 was paid of 6000.00. 300.00 remained. I was charged interest on 6000.00, as though I had never paid anything off!) PLEASE TELL ME THIS NEW BILL STOPS THIS ILLEGAL PRACTICE! So far, just from scanning details, I haven't seen anything specific that addresses this practice. Also, please tell me this goes into effect IMMEDIATELY (not a year from now).

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  1 comment for Idea: A Comment on the New Credit Card Bill...

  Submitted by cat-samjas-0l9 4 years ago

• I agree

  Voting is Disabled

  -9 votes

  I disagree
  This idea is active.
  New Tools and Technologies »

  Better regulate Microsoft (and other large companies) SECURITY UPDATES

  OK. The corporate world will disagree, and private citizens might agree. As an individual, it drives me crazy to have a virus or hole left unplugged for a month, until Microsoft (sorry, hate to pick on that company, but they are dominant) releases security updates and fixes to companies first, then to individuals later. I, as an individual, would like the option to have MS release the update to me as soon as it becomes ...more »

  OK. The corporate world will disagree, and private citizens might agree.

  As an individual, it drives me crazy to have a virus or hole left unplugged for a month, until Microsoft (sorry, hate to pick on that company, but they are dominant) releases security updates and fixes to companies first, then to individuals later. I, as an individual, would like the option to have MS release the update to me as soon as it becomes available. More than once I have spent hours and days struggling to fix a PC issue, only to find it resolved by a fix a month later! I want an OPT IN option for security fixes that doesn't require me to wait or waste my time. I am one person. How many others have struggled with PC issues (including the government by the way), waiting for a fix - sometimes waiting for nothing more than a predefined date.

  Also, I'd like better and more complete information instead of secrecy around problems when they occur. Just these past two weeks with the latest big virus problem, there were several well known sites not behaving normally. For a few days I thought it was my PC.

  Policies like these cost all of us time, money (buying fixes and PC hardware and software we might not need), and energy. We need more open and timely communication around fixes and issues.

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  3 comments for Idea: Better regulate Microsoft (and other large companies) SECURITY UPDATES

  Submitted by cat-samjas-0l9 4 years ago

• I agree

  Voting is Disabled

  36 votes

  I disagree
  This idea is active.
  Hiring & Recruitment »

  Reengineer USAJOBS (versus only Improve or Innovate the process)

  I'd like the process to look like the following: I see a job to which I'd like to apply. I am new to the site. I sign in. I upload my resume. I complete in open form a paragraph on why I feel I am a strong candidate. I click apply. Done. I get feedback automatically on the hiring process (reviewing resumes, narrowing resumes, selected two or three and you are or are not one of them, hired-feedback on why you were ...more »

  I'd like the process to look like the following:

  I see a job to which I'd like to apply. I am new to the site.

  I sign in. I upload my resume. I complete in open form a paragraph on why I feel I am a strong candidate. I click apply. Done.

  I get feedback automatically on the hiring process (reviewing resumes, narrowing resumes, selected two or three and you are or are not one of them, hired-feedback on why you were NOT chosen for an interview or hired along with suggestions on what I might do to improve). Again...all automated...email status updates, if I elect to see them.

  I see the next job to which I'd like to apply. I choose my existing resume or send another. I write a paragraph on why I am a good fit. Apply. Done.

  These LONG essays and redundant questions over and over on if when and why I've ever worked for the government should not appear, especially if I haven't. Then the end of the process should not tell me things like, be sure to send all forms necessary or you won't be considered, or don't send forms you dont need to send or you wont be considered, etc. Just tell me! Am I done or NOT based on my status of never having worked for the government! Just keep me in the loop (electronically) on the application process, please. Tell me why you didn't select me. Tell me what I need to improve to get selected. Tell me who I can call with questions. (Some times you do this one now, I should say. Do this consistently for all government agencies and departments. Why the duplication?)

  If you do these things you will not only improve USA JOBS.gov, but many of the private application HR processes as well!

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  5 comments for Idea: Reengineer USAJOBS (versus only Improve or Innovate the process)

  Submitted by cat-samjas-0l9 4 years ago

• I agree

  Voting is Disabled

  22 votes

  I disagree
  This idea is active.
  Public-Private Partnerships »

  Open contract jobs to everyone, including the American people who are unemployed

  There are so many talented - and unemployed - people who need work. It is a shame it is so difficult for them to obtain work from, by, and with the government. How many individuals could be helped if some of these initiatives were opened up to teams of American citizens, each with unique competencies. That is, have the government create team leaders in a way, of very specific bite sized initiatives. Then bring in unemployed ...more »

  There are so many talented - and unemployed - people who need work. It is a shame it is so difficult for them to obtain work from, by, and with the government. How many individuals could be helped if some of these initiatives were opened up to teams of American citizens, each with unique competencies. That is, have the government create team leaders in a way, of very specific bite sized initiatives. Then bring in unemployed American talent to work on these diverse teams. Example: Digitizing medical records in an area. You could put technical writer, trainers, designers to work in a given geographic location. The team lead would ensure a strategic direction and progress. Make it easy to draw upon the talents of the unemployed. It might not be a permanent job, but it would provide some income. Simplify and open up the "bidding" process to regular Americans looking for work. (Where do I sign up?)

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  1 comment for Idea: Open contract jobs to everyone, including the American people who are unemployed

  Submitted by cat-samjas-0l9 4 years ago

• I agree

  Voting is Disabled

  -8 votes

  I disagree
  This idea is active.
  Strategic Planning and Budgeting »

  New Ideas, Goals, and Objectives

  New Ideas, Goals, and Objectives that radically invert historical priorities might help. Then reward and incent based on these new inverted objectives. Design (redesign and re-engineer) processes to support these new strategies. Train and coach and monitor progress that is aligned with the new process and strategic objectives. Understand, monitor, grow and change your culture to support your new, desired strategic direction. ...more »

  New Ideas, Goals, and Objectives that radically invert historical priorities might help. Then reward and incent based on these new inverted objectives. Design (redesign and re-engineer) processes to support these new strategies. Train and coach and monitor progress that is aligned with the new process and strategic objectives. Understand, monitor, grow and change your culture to support your new, desired strategic direction. Don't monitor and measure everything - key variances only. Consider "Appreciative Inquiry" versus traditional methodology for strategic goal setting!

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  1 comment for Idea: New Ideas, Goals, and Objectives

  Submitted by cat-samjas-0l9 4 years ago

• I agree

  Voting is Disabled

  0 votes

  I disagree
  This idea is active.
  Making Government Operations More Open »

  The devil is in the details...

  I'd like to know more about the detailed decision-making criteria and processes underlying various government initiatives.

  Add your comment for Idea: The devil is in the details...

  Submitted by cat-samjas-0l9 4 years ago

• I agree

  Voting is Disabled

  -22 votes

  I disagree
  This idea is active.
  Legal & Policy Challenges »

  Lets FLIP the hiring process for all corporate leaders. Imagine this...

  ...In order for a CEO or other corporate leader to be hired, he or she would need to provide SIGNATURES from the last company at which they worked. If they led a company of 100,000, then 10,000 FRONT LINE signatures affirming his or her competencies would be required. ...In order for a company to not have to pay any taxes, it would have to provide FULL employment and health benefits in every community in which it resides. ...more »

  ...In order for a CEO or other corporate leader to be hired, he or she would need to provide SIGNATURES from the last company at which they worked. If they led a company of 100,000, then 10,000 FRONT LINE signatures affirming his or her competencies would be required.

  ...In order for a company to not have to pay any taxes, it would have to provide FULL employment and health benefits in every community in which it resides. Example: If a large company was located in Chicago and if Chicago had 100% employment (with 100% core benefits like Medical, ... that is, no one was unemployed in Chicago), then that company would not have to pay taxes of any kind as a reward. If it was located in a small town instead and provided the same, leaders in that location would not have to pay any taxes.

  Reward (by not taxing a companies leaders as one example) based on companies meeting the needs in the communities in which they reside. One result would be priorities of companies might actually shift. They might begin to recruit for CEOs who could achieve full employment in a community (versus pure profit). You need to change the objectives of companies,as well as their cultures.

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  1 comment for Idea: Lets FLIP the hiring process for all corporate leaders. Imagine this...

  Submitted by cat-samjas-0l9 4 years ago

• I agree

  Voting is Disabled

  -13 votes

  I disagree
  This idea is active.
  Performance Appraisal »

  I'd like to see new laws that help ensure fair performance appraisal systems in companies

  There is much research available on what good performance management looks like. Too often as implemented it is hurtful and does not help an employee improve. These days, with so many people out of work - some laid off, some forced to leave due to bad management practices rather than the employee - this issue impacts peoples lives and work productivity. We need better laws that help monitor processes companies use to ...more »

  There is much research available on what good performance management looks like. Too often as implemented it is hurtful and does not help an employee improve. These days, with so many people out of work - some laid off, some forced to leave due to bad management practices rather than the employee - this issue impacts peoples lives and work productivity. We need better laws that help monitor processes companies use to make decisions on who is promoted, what criteria is used, and how rewards are paid. You doubt this? Just consider what we've recently seen in the Banking industry, the Auto industry, etc. One root of all this lies in each companies performance management system and processes.

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  2 comments for Idea: I'd like to see new laws that help ensure fair performance appraisal systems in companies

  Submitted by cat-samjas-0l9 4 years ago

• I agree

  Voting is Disabled

  23 votes

  I disagree
  This idea is active.
  Legal & Policy Challenges »

  **** We need new laws that protect the unemployed from unscrupulous recruiting, hiring, and HR practices! ****

  After applying to so many jobs for so many months, I've seen and experienced first hand many hiring practices that place the unemployed at risk for identity theft, low-balled salaries, and plain old deceptive practices conducted behind the scenes. We needs new laws ASAP that protect the unemployed and ensure the best candidates are hired, and that they are hired based on competencies and skills, not hearsay, personality, ...more »

  After applying to so many jobs for so many months, I've seen and experienced first hand many hiring practices that place the unemployed at risk for identity theft, low-balled salaries, and plain old deceptive practices conducted behind the scenes. We needs new laws ASAP that protect the unemployed and ensure the best candidates are hired, and that they are hired based on competencies and skills, not hearsay, personality, a youthful appearance, or friendships. Applicants should not have to give up their safety (W2 history, SSN) in order to apply for a job. They shouldn't have to agree to not hold former employers accountable for defammatory comments. Feedback on applicants should be provided when it is used to exclude a candidate from a position. There should be laws that ensure the initial application process is easy, quick, and non intrusive. Later on in the process applicants actually going to be offered a job can provide all the security data required. Doing so too early in a hiring process forces us to be at risk to anyone calling him or herself a recruiter.

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  1 comment for Idea: **** We need new laws that protect the unemployed from unscrupulous recruiting, hiring, and HR practices! ****

  Submitted by cat-samjas-0l9 4 years ago

• I agree

  Voting is Disabled

  65 votes

  I disagree
  This idea is active.
  Making Government Operations More Open »

  Allow participation and opinion BEFORE decisions are made and implemented (e.g. what you are doing here)

  Too often we don't find out about decisions until they are implemented. In order to be more open, please do the following: 1. Define what OPEN means to you. At what point in the process is "open" achieved? Before decisions are made? After they are made but before they are implemented? During implementation? What are you trying to achieve with the openness? More buy-in after the fact? Or for people to feel better about ...more »

  Too often we don't find out about decisions until they are implemented. In order to be more open, please do the following:

  1. Define what OPEN means to you. At what point in the process is "open" achieved? Before decisions are made? After they are made but before they are implemented? During implementation? What are you trying to achieve with the openness? More buy-in after the fact? Or for people to feel better about policies implemented? Or better policies? I suspect the latter due to the process you've started here.

  2. If it IS the latter, then you need to find a way for every day Americans (citizens) to sit in on and participate in the process. I am not sure consensus is always the best way for all types of decision making processes. For example, someone unemployed and without health care will have strong needs an opinions that won't coincide with those (necessarily) of someone who has a well paying job and different needs. It's a simple MASLOW principle. So for example, health care laws which need to be totally rewritten in my opinion, will have different types of teams formed based on participant needs.

  Establish a process to draw in people from different needs. Allow them to actually be PAID for their time, too. That would be great for everyone. How about setting aside funds for public participation? This way, someone unemployed could actually earn a little money while they learn about the government, and help their plight and the plight of others in the same situation.

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  4 comments for Idea: Allow participation and opinion BEFORE decisions are made and implemented (e.g. what you are doing here)

  Submitted by cat-samjas-0l9 4 years ago

• I agree

  Voting is Disabled

  -1 votes

  I disagree
  This idea is active.
  Training and Development »

  Require training in organizational culture and its impact on organizations

  Organizational culture to an organization is akin to the role of a human brain in a body. The government, and at minimum all its leaders, needs to better understand what culture is and how it shapes and influences decision making and organizational processes (to name just a few of the many ways culture shapes an organization). The government and its leaders need to attend - if they haven't already - training in organizational ...more »

  Organizational culture to an organization is akin to the role of a human brain in a body. The government, and at minimum all its leaders, needs to better understand what culture is and how it shapes and influences decision making and organizational processes (to name just a few of the many ways culture shapes an organization). The government and its leaders need to attend - if they haven't already - training in organizational culture.

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  1 comment for Idea: Require training in organizational culture and its impact on organizations

  Submitted by cat-samjas-0l9 4 years ago

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