Overview
Title
Proposed Revision of AID 114-2 Anti-Harassment Intake Summary Sheet
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The USAID is asking people to check and respond to a form about how they collect information on harassment, so they can make it better and not too hard for people to fill out. They want people to send their thoughts in by email in the next 30 days, so they can think about these ideas before asking for an official approval.
Summary AI
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is inviting the public and other federal agencies to comment on the proposed AID 114-2 Anti-Harassment Program Intake Summary Sheet. This is part of a process required by the Paperwork Reduction Act to evaluate the impact and need of information collection and to reduce the public's reporting burden. Comments need to be submitted within 30 days of the notice. This form aims to gather details about harassment allegations to improve the quality and necessity of information collected by USAID.
Abstract
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, as amended, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 30 days of public comment on the AID 114-2 Anti- Harassment Program Intake Summary Sheet, prior to the submission of the information collection request (ICR) to OMB for approval.
Keywords AI
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AnalysisAI
Summary of the Document
The document is a notice from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) inviting public commentary on a proposal concerning the AID 114-2 Anti-Harassment Program Intake Summary Sheet. This effort aligns with the Paperwork Reduction Act, which aims to ensure efficient information collection while reducing the public's reporting burden. The proposed form is designed to document allegations of harassment, providing essential details about the incident and those involved. The public is encouraged to submit their comments within 30 days of the notice's publication, which USAID will consider before submitting their information collection request for approval.
Significant Issues and Concerns
Several issues arise from the notice that may warrant further attention. Firstly, the document states that the total estimated burden cost is "None," which may seem unclear. Detailing how this conclusion was reached could improve transparency. Additionally, the document mentions an estimated burden without explaining how it was calculated. Offering a breakdown of this estimation could also enhance understanding and feedback accuracy.
The document also lacks information on how USAID plans to analyze and incorporate public comments into the final decision-making process. This procedural transparency is crucial for ensuring public confidence in the impact of their input. Moreover, the repetitive language describing whether harassment is related to a protected EEO category could be streamlined for clarity.
Finally, the procedure seems to rely heavily on digital communication, raising concerns about inclusivity for those without internet access, as no alternative response methods are mentioned.
Impact on the Public
Broadly, the document aims to involve the public in shaping a tool meant to address workplace harassment within USAID. By inviting public and federal agency comments, the notice seeks to refine the intake process, ensuring it aligns with both legal standards and public expectations. However, the lack of detailed cost information and contingency plans for offline response might discourage comprehensive public participation or obscure understanding of the proposal's potential impacts.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Specific stakeholder groups such as employees, managers within USAID, and other federal agencies may experience different impacts. For employees, particularly those who are potential victims of harassment, this form represents a crucial part of the reporting process. Ensuring that the form is clear and accessible is vital for encouraging reports and identifying issues. For managers and relevant personnel, the Intake Summary Sheet provides a structured way to process allegations, potentially leading to more consistent and fair handling of such cases.
However, the lack of detail concerning processing and utilizing public feedback might limit the document's improvement based on stakeholder input. Clarifying these aspects would enhance stakeholder engagement, improve the form's design, and ultimately create a more effective anti-harassment process.
Issues
• The document does not specify the total estimated burden cost (listed as 'None'); clarifying this may be necessary to ensure that the information is accurate and transparent.
• The document does not provide details on how the total estimated burden of 100 was calculated; a breakdown could help in assessing accuracy.
• The document does not explain the process for analyzing public comments or how they will influence the final approval of the information collection request.
• The notice could provide more detail on how the voluntary nature of response impacts the data's comprehensiveness and utility.
• Language such as 'whether the alleged harassment is alleged to be based on a protected EEO category' could be simplified for clarity, as it is currently repetitive.
• The document mentions responding by email but does not provide a process for individuals without internet access to comment, potentially limiting inclusivity.