[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 234 (Thursday, December 7, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57787-57788]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-26322]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

OFFICE OF SPECIAL COUNSEL


OSC Annual Survey

AGENCY: Office of Special Counsel.

ACTION: Notice for public comment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, and 
implementing regulations at 5 CFR part 1320, the U.S. Office of Special 
Counsel (OSC), is requesting approval from the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) for use of a previously approved information collection 
(survey). OSC is required by statute to annually conduct the survey and 
publish the results in OSC's annual report. The OSC Annual Survey 
consists of four electronic questionnaires. The prior OMB approval, 
dated April 20, 2017, expired October 31, 2017. OSC is requesting 
renewed approval for the survey, and we are not making any changes to 
the previously approved survey. Current and former Federal employees, 
employee representatives, other Federal agencies, state and local 
government employees, and the general public are invited to comment 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: Written comments should be received on or before February 5, 
2018.

ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments by mail to: Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 
Attention: Desk Officer for OSC, New Executive Office Building, Room 
10235, Washington, DC 20503; or by email via: 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth Hendricks, Clerk of the U.S. 
Office of Special Counsel, by telephone at (202) 804-7000, or by email 
at [email protected].

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 requires OSC to 
publish the survey's results in OSC's annual report to Congress. Copies 
of prior years' annual reports are available on OSC's Web site, at 
https://osc.gov/Pages/Resources-ReportsAndInfo.aspx or by calling OSC 
at (202) 804-7000. The prior OSC Annual Survey, OMB Control Number 
3255-0003, expired on October 31, 2017. OSC is requesting renewed 
approval and reinstatement without change of this previously approved 
collection of information. As with the prior approved survey, this 
survey will

[[Page 57788]]

be hosted by Survey Monkey (https://www.surveymonkey.com).
    The survey questionnaires are available for review on line at 
https://osc.gov/Resources/Survey%20Samples%202017.pdf or by calling OSC 
at (202) 804-7000.
    Type of Information Collection Request: Reinstatement without 
change of a previously approved collection of information that expired 
on October 31, 2017.
    Affected Public: Filers (or their representatives) seeking OSC 
services through: (1) Complaints alleging prohibited personnel practice 
or Hatch Act violations; or (2) disclosures of information alleging 
violation of law, rule, or regulation.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Estimated Annual Number of Survey Form Respondents: 500.
    Frequency of Survey Form Use: Annual.
    Estimated Average Amount of Time for a Person to Respond to Survey: 
12 minutes.
    Estimated Annual Survey Burden: 100 hours.
    OSC will use the questionnaires to survey filers, whose matters OSC 
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 1, 2017.
Bruce Gipe,
Chief Operating Officer.
[FR Doc. 2017-26322 Filed 12-6-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7405-01-P