A bill to extend whistleblower protections to employees who file grievances against the top leader of a government of Guam agency may not be necessary according to testimony from Civil Service Commission executive director Daniel Leon Guerrero.
The testimony was submitted on Friday following a public hearing that was held Monday on Spkr. Frank Blas, Jr.'s Bill 148-38.
At the hearing, Blas said "while existing law already offers protections for those filing grievances against co-workers and most management, there are no provisions if the complaint is against the top leader."
In his letter to Blas, Leon Guerrero said, "While I understand and support the goal of enhancing protections for public employees, I believe that aligning the proposed changes with existing laws and structures would be more effective. The CSC and Guam's merit system laws already provide mechanisms to address these concerns."
"While I appreciate the intent to enhance protections for public employees, I have some concerns about potential overlaps with existing laws and the structure of the proposed change," he added.
According to the testimony a provision in the Bill that establishes an independent oversight body, in addition to the CSC, that is to be impaneled by the Governor "adds bureaucracy and may present conflicts of interest."
He also raised concern over a provision that mandates that agencies alter their rules within 90 days without consultation with the CSC or the Department of Administration's...
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