CDC bonuses favor management, not scientists

Alison Young of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution analyzed awards recieved by the employees of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to show that the most
frequent large cash awards and performance bonuses are recieved not by scientists, but
mostly budget analysts, accountants, computer experts and other
administrative managers. "The 72 CDC employees who received five or more awards of at least $2,500
from 2000 through July 21, primarily work in non-science jobs. Some got
$30,000, $50,000 and in one case more than $140,000 in cumulative bonus cash
beyond their salaries." As the CDC faces morale problems and the loss of key scientific leaders, the
distribution awards provides evidence, critics say, that the Atlanta-based
agency is becoming more focused on management and bureaucracy and less on
its public health mission.