Here’s A New, Quick Route To Cutting Red Tape At USDA

“Everything is now in place to receive and process waiver requests from employees, and we’re ready to rock ‘n roll with it!”

Bob Whiting, deputy director of the Office of Human Resources Management, was describing the fact that the Department recently officially activated its plan that allows USDA employees to make requests to get in-house rules waived. In addition, USDA recently activated its USDA “Internal Rule Waiver Website,” http:// www.usda.gov/waivers

Secretary Dan Glickman announced the formal activation of the Department’s “streamlined waiver request process” in a memorandum dated September 20, 2000 and titled “Waivers of Internal Department of Agriculture Rules,” which was mailed to all USDA employees along with the Statement of Leave and Earnings for Pay Period No. 19.

“If you have an idea about how to 'cut red tape,’ let us hear it. Tell us about it by using the new USDA Internal Rule Waiver Website,” Glickman encouraged in his memorandum.

Earlier, the April-May 2000 issue of the USDA News carried a story about the Department’s plans for its in-house waiver request process.

Whiting, who serves as the Department’s Waiver Coordinator, noted that the in-house waiver request process applies to internal rules, which are defined as internal Department regulations, processes, policies, and procedures that relate to providing USDA programs and services to the public. “This new waiver request process,” he advised, “does not apply to laws, treaties, Executive Orders, negotiated labor agreements, civil rights protections, governmentwide regulations, or any other requirements and practices required by law.”

“This waiver request process,” he added, “applies only to internal USDA rules not codified in the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations.”

“And waiver requests that would have a detrimental effect on USDA’s mission or its customers will be routinely disapproved.”

OHRM personnel systems analyst Jeff Shen explained that the difference between this newly-activated waiver request process and the Department’s long-existing employee suggestion programs is that “suggestion programs are to be used when employees have suggestions or ideas to modify or create Department regulations-- not waive them.”

Shen noted that USDA’s Internal Rule Waiver Website includes a definition of a waiver, the waiver process which is outlined in detail in Secretary’s Memorandum 2570-1, waiver procedures, a request form, and agency/staff office points of contact.

“We’re giving every USDA employee the opportunity to be more empowered by helping make our internal processes more expedient, efficient, and effective in delivering our programs and services to our customers,” Whiting affirmed. 

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