[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 1 (Monday, January 4, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 176-177]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-31167]


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OFFICE OF SPECIAL COUNSEL


Agency Information Collection Activities; Request for Comment

AGENCY:  Office of Special Counsel.

ACTION:  Notice.

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SUMMARY:  In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 
(44U.S.C. Chapter 35), 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 a 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. The current OMB approval for this collection of 
information expired on March 31, 2009. 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 information collection for the first time.
    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.

DATES: Comments should be received by February 16, 2010.

ADDRESSES: Roderick Anderson, CFO, U.S. Office of Special Counsel, 1730 
M Street, N.W., Suite 218, Washington, DC 20036-4505.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roderick Anderson, Chief Financial 
Officer, at the address shown above; by facsimile at (202) 254-3715. 
The survey

[[Page 177]]

form for the collection of information is available for review by 
calling OSC, or on OSC's Web site, at http://www.osc.gov/library.htm.

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. 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 report to Congress. Copies 
of prior years' annual reports are available on OSC's Web site, at 
http://www.osc.gov/library.htmcongress or by calling OSC at 
(202) 254-3600.
    OSC has enhanced the effectiveness of this survey by revising the 
questions asked. OSC continues to use the online survey, due to its 
effectiveness in reducing response time.
    Title of Collection: OSC Survey--
    Prohibited Personnel Practice or Other Prohibited Activity (Agency 
Form Number OSC-48a; OMB Control Number 3255-0003)
    Type of Information Collection Request: Approval of a previously 
approved collection of information that expired on March 31, 2009, with 
revisions.
    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.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 600.
    Frequency: Annual.
    Estimated Average Amount of Time for a Person to Respond: 12 
minutes.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 109 hours.
    Abstract: This 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 at 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: December 18, 2009.
William E. Reukauf
Associate Special Counsel.
[FR Doc. E9-31167 Filed 12-31-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7405-01-S