FR 2021-00040

Summary of the Document

Executive Order 13970, titled "Adjustments of Certain Rates of Pay," issued by the President of the United States, outlines important changes to the pay rates for federal employees across various sectors. This order affects several pay schedules, including those for the General Schedule, the Foreign Service, senior executive roles, and specific executive and judicial positions. Moreover, it indicates adjustments to locality-based comparability payments and salaries for members of the uniformed services and administrative law judges. This executive order supersedes a prior order and takes effect from January 1, 2021, or at the start of the first pay period of that year.

Significant Issues or Concerns

A notable concern with this document is its lack of detailed information regarding the specific percentage increases or precise figures for the adjusted pay rates. Without these details, it becomes challenging for individuals to gauge the financial impact or fairness of these changes. The absence of transparent criteria or a basis for determining pay adjustments raises questions about the decision-making process, potentially undermining public trust.

Additionally, the document references several schedules where these pay rates and adjustments are supposedly detailed, but these are not included in the text. This omission creates ambiguity and leaves individuals without easy access to critical information needed to fully understand the adjustments. Notably, positions like the Vice President, members of Congress, and certain judges have separate schedules, but there is no explanation provided for this distinction, leading to further questions about equity and the criteria used.

Broad Public Impact

For the general public, the adjustments in federal pay can reflect how government resources are allocated and are an item of interest for those tracking federal expenditures. Changes in pay for federal workers could have broader economic implications, especially if similar adjustments are made across other sectors. These modifications might influence employment trends, federal recruitment efforts, and overall job satisfaction among federal employees.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

Federal employees across the covered sectors, including those under the General Schedule and the Foreign Service, stand to be directly impacted by these pay adjustments. Positive impacts may include increased job satisfaction and improved morale due to higher compensation. However, the lack of detailed figures and the basis for adjustments might cause uncertainty or dissatisfaction among stakeholders who feel their pay adjustments are not equitable compared to other positions.

For senior executives and elected officials like the Vice President and Congress members, pay adjustments might influence public opinion, particularly if these increases are perceived as disproportionate compared to those for lower-level employees.

Uniformed service members and administrative law judges will experience changes in their compensation as well, though with the minimal context provided, questions about comparability to other positions' adjustments might arise.

In conclusion, while this executive order aims to standardize federal pay scales and implement necessary adjustments, its lack of specificity and clarity leaves room for concern and speculation among both the public and specific stakeholders. More transparency in how adjustments are calculated and more accessible documentation would address these issues and foster greater confidence in the process.