NIH Principals Administrative Officers: Alternates

Don Bortner, NIA Gilda Morris, NIDDK

Richard Freed, NIAID Lynda Ray, CC

Carroll Hanson, NHLBI Mary Kashanchi, NCI

Brenda Sandler, NIAAA

Linda Adams, NHGRI

Corrine Abbott, NIDCD

Rene Smither, NIDCR

Bruce Wiggins, NIEHS Guests:

Robert Dennis, NIMH

Pam Pearson-Green, NIMH Sharon Steinberg, OHRM/OD

Olive Childers, NEI

Edie Smith, CIT

John Savannah, ORS

Meeting of Principal Administrative Officers (closed session)

I. IAO Retreat

Coordinators for the retreat are Brenda Sandler, Richard Freed, and Linda Adams. Richard opened the discussion with the possibility of the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Inner Harbor, Baltimore, as the retreat location and possible dates between May 21-31 or June 11-15. There is some concern for the availability (two-day block) of the Hyatt Regency Hotel and other suggested retreat locations. Richard is waiting for available dates from each, at which time he will lock in and confirm a location. He also suggested that the retreat would start on the first day at 10:00 a.m. and end the next day at 3:00 p.m. (total 1 ½ days).

No final agenda has been set. It has been determined that the topics for the agenda are "Best Practices" and "Lab Demonstration Project." Each topic needs yet to be defined and suggestions are requested via e-mail to the IOA Retreat coordinators. For example, suggestions for: Best Practices - control efforts, alternative work sites, and the property system. For the proposed topic of Lab Demonstration Project , Don Bortner would like to receive e-mail suggestions regarding existing barriers or needed improvements, such as flexibility for delegation of authority and pay banding.

NIGHR (Linda Adams) graciously agreed to do all the procurement for the retreat. Each IC will need to provide a CAN. Linda also suggested that someone be hired to take minutes at the retreat in order to capture action items and relevant background discussion.

II. Hiring Freeze

No additional information available. NIH's Coordination Plan is scheduled to be delivered to HHS on March 9, 2001.

III. Pay Adjustments for VF/IRTA's

Edie Bishop, OD, has notified all ICs that all VF/IRTA stipend increases should be rounded up to the next $100. The spreadsheet formulas need to be checked to ensure that outcome. (This was subsequently checked and corrected.)

IV. Special Expert Slots

Dr. Kirschstein (Acting Director, NIH) and Steve Benowitz (Director, OHRM), requested a review for appropriateness appointing senior administrators using of the "Special Expert " mechanism. One issue concerns justifying salaries without any direct comparisons in the private sector. A working group has been assigned to make comparisons between NIH and the private sector and to determine whether a pay banding system is needed.

V. Disability Accessibility Plan

The draft NIH plan to comply with two executive orders requiring increased opportunities for individuals with disabilities and the provision of reasonable accommodations has been announced by Pedro Morales (EOE, OD). The orders also stipulate that 100,000 new disabled employees must be hired by the government over the next five years. NIH's share of this is about 900, which will be distributed among ICs. Each IC will be required to develop its own plan to meet these requirements. In addition, it is required that for NIH employees to participate in an event, the entire event must meet the standards set forth in the Executive Order. The OEO will provide assistance for understanding and meeting these requirements.

VI. Miscellaneous

It was requested that the web address for NIH Intramural Administrative Officer's minutes be sent to all of NIH. The address is as follows:

http://www1.od.nih.gov/oir/sourcebook/administrative/administrative-toc.html

Open Session

CIVIL - Presentation by Sharon Steinberg, OHRM/OD

Sharon Steinberg began her presentation by acknowledging the complete commitment of the CIVIL Team and Ruth Kirschstein, Acting Director, NIH in providing a work environment for all that is free from violence, threats of violence, harassment, intimidation, or other disruptive behavior. She indicated that CIVIL is not for crisis responses (call 911), but focuses primarily on prevention of threats of violence. She discussed awareness, prevention, response, and resources to assist and develop the proper responses to violent or potentially violent situations. A Gallup poll reported that 1 of every 6 employees are angry at work. At NIH, CIVIL received about 60 calls within the last 18 months, and many incidents are not reported. She encourages employees and supervisors to identify and report problems early to get advise regarding preventions. For further information, the contact number for CIVIL is (301)402-4845 or http://civil.nih.gov/

The next meeting is scheduled for April 5.