[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 94 (Tuesday, May 15, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28638-28639]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-11760]


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OFFICE OF SPECIAL COUNSEL


OSC Forms And Survey Renewal for FY 2012--Request for Comment

AGENCY: Office of Special Counsel.

ACTION: Notice For public comment.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.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 four 
previously approved information collections consisting of three 
complaint forms and an electronic survey form. These collections are 
listed below. The current OMB approval for Forms OSC-11, OSC-12, OSC-
13, and the OSC Survey expire 9/30/12. We are submitting all three 
forms and the electronic survey for renewal, based on the upcoming date 
of expiration. There are no changes being submitted with this request 
for renewal of the use of these forms. 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 second 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 June 11, 2012.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karl Kammann, Director of Finance, at 
the address shown above; by facsimile at (202) 254-3711.

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. Title of Collections: (1) Form OSC-11, 
(Complaint of Possible Prohibited Personnel Practice of Other 
Prohibited Activity; (2) Form OSC-12 (Information about filing a 
Whistleblower Disclosure with the Office of Special Counsel); (3) Form 
OSC-13 (Complaint of Possible Prohibited Political Activity (Violation 
of the Hatch Act)); (4) Office of Special Counsel (OSC) Annual Survey; 
OMB Control Number 3255-0003, Expiration 09/30/12.
    Copies of the OSC Forms 11, 12, and 13 can be found at: http://www.osc.gov/RR_OSCFORMS.htm. OSC is also required to conduct an annual 
survey of

[[Page 28639]]

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/RR_AnnualReportsToCongress.htm or by calling OSC at 
(202) 254-3600.
    The survey form for the collection of information is available for 
review by calling OSC at (202) 254-3600.
    Type of Information Collection Request: Approval of previously 
approved collection of information that expires on September 30, 2012, 
with no 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 OSC Form Respondents: 3,950
    Estimated Annual Number of Survey Form Respondents: 320.
    Frequency of use of OSC forms: daily.
    Frequency of Survey form use: Annual.
    Estimated Average Amount of Time for a Person to Respond using OSC 
forms: 64 minutes.
    Estimated Average Amount of Time for a Person to Respond to survey: 
12 minutes.
    Estimated Annual Burden for the OSC forms: 2,899 hours.
    Estimated Annual Survey Burden: 109 hours.
    These forms are used by current and former Federal employees and 
applicants for Federal employment to submit allegations of possible 
prohibited personnel practices or other prohibited activity for 
investigation and possible prosecution by OSC. This survey 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: May 9, 2012.
Mark Cohen,
Special Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2012-11760 Filed 5-14-12; 8:45 am]
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