Call Net.Data Function from Javascript

Hi guys!

This should be very simple.  I want to call a DTW_SQL function from Javascript.
How I do it?  It is not working like this...

NET.DATA CODE
%{ --------------------------------------------------------------------- %}
%{ Function: CHKEMPSTS                                                   %}
%{ Purpose : Check the employee status                                   %}
%{ --------------------------------------------------------------------- %}
%FUNCTION(DTW_SQL) CHKEMPSTS() {
SELECT EMPSTS FROM PLIB.EMPTA WHERE ENVCOD = '$(ENVCD)' and BADGE = '$(emp)'
%Message {
100: "@DTW_ASSIGN(empsts,"*")":continue
%}
%REPORT {
%ROW {
@DTW_ASSIGN(empsts,$(V1))
%}
%}
%}

JAVASCRIPT CODE
function chkempsts() {
@CHKEMPSTS()
var empsts = "&empsts";
alert(empsts);
if (empsts != "") {
    alert("Employee is not in the facilities");
return;
}

Your help is highly appreciated...
Peter Vidal
Pall Aeropower Corp.
SR Programmer Analyst
WWW.Pall.com

"A good player makes himself look good; a great player makes the team look
good."
Author unknown