OPM TO LIMIT TEMPORARY HIRING AUTHORITY

Washington, D.C. -- The U. S. Office of Personnel Management has issued proposed regulations that limit the amount of time federal agencies may retain temporary employees in nonpermanent positions. The proposed regulations limit temporary appointments to one year, and permit a single extension of one year, for a total of two years.

The action to limit the temporary hiring authority is designed to limit the use of temporary employees who, in general, are ineligible for insurance and pension benefits available to permanent federal workers. Current regulations permit extensions of up to four years for temporary appointments. Although not widespread, examples exist where federal employees have remained in the same temporary job for several years through a series of extensions.

"The use of temporary employees in the federal government must be restricted to jobs which are truly temporary," said OPM Director Jim King. "There is a legitimate role for a temporary work force in government, although, abuse of the temporary hiring authority flies in the face of fairness."

In June 1993, Jim King testified before Congress and stated his determination to end the inappropriate use of the temporary hiring authority.

Current temporary employees whose service exceeds the two-year limit or is expected to exceed the limit may be eligible to convert to term appointments under an additional OPM authorization. Employees under term appointments are eligible for pension benefits, and they may elect health and life insurance coverage.

OPM's proposal would not restrict an employee's eligibility for successive temporary appointments to different jobs or agencies.

OPM may grant extensions beyond two years during base closings, major reorganizations or unusual circumstances. The two-year time limit applies to competitive-service appointments, as well as appointments to the excepted service. It does not apply to internships, fellowships, residency or student programs, and seasonal appointments of less than six months.

OPM expects the proposed regulations to be published in the Federal Register on Thursday, January 27, 1994.

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