98-30842. Temporary and Term Employment  

  • [Federal Register Volume 63, Number 222 (Wednesday, November 18, 1998)]
    [Proposed Rules]
    [Page 64008]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 98-30842]
    
    
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    Proposed Rules
                                                    Federal Register
    ________________________________________________________________________
    
    This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
    the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
    notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
    the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
    
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    Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 222 / Wednesday, November 18, 1998 / 
    Proposed Rules
    
    [[Page 64008]]
    
    
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    OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT
    
    5 CFR Part 316
    
    RIN 3206 AI45
    
    
    Temporary and Term Employment
    
    AGENCY: Office of Personnel Management.
    
    ACTION: Proposed rule.
    
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    SUMMARY: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) proposes to revise 
    its regulations to provide the possibility for promotion of employees 
    appointed as worker-trainees under TAPER appointments through grade GS-
    4, WG-5, or equivalent grades in the Federal Wage System.
    
    DATES: Written comments will be considered if received on or before 
    December 18, 1998.
    
    ADDRESSES: Send or deliver written comments to Mary Lou Lindholm, 
    Associate Director for Employment, U.S. Office of Personnel Management, 
    1900 E Street, NW., Room 6500, Washington, DC 20415.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Diane Tyrrell, 202-606-0830, FAX 202-
    606-0390, or TDD 202-606-0023.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In striving to meet the goals under the 
    President's welfare to work initiative, Federal agencies have used the 
    TAPER (temporary appointment pending the establishment of a register) 
    authority as their primary appointing authority to appoint employees 
    into the worker trainee program. Using this authority, the current 
    regulations do not allow for promotion beyond the GS-3, WG-4 and 
    equivalent level. Based on the success to date with the use of this 
    authority, agencies would like more flexibility to be able to advance 
    employees beyond the current limits. Currently, these employees must 
    compete for other opportunities or remain at this grade level until 
    completion of the three year period under the program. Agencies have 
    voiced concern regarding the undue restriction of this grade level 
    limitation.
    
    Program Background
    
        The worker-trainee program was initiated in 1968 and was developed 
    and used, at that time, extensively as a vehicle to competitively hire 
    unskilled, disadvantaged workers. By 1979, activity under this program 
    became very limited and as a result too costly for the Office of 
    Personnel Management (OPM) to maintain registers. Rather than 
    completely eliminate the program, OPM retained the worker trainee as an 
    option under the TAPER authority. Today, it is once again being used 
    widely in connection with the welfare to work program.
    
    Incentive For Change
    
        Agencies have had positive experiences in the recruitment of 
    individuals from the welfare rolls. Currently, employees who are eager 
    and show an ability to excel beyond the current grade level limits of 
    GS-3, WG-4 and equivalent, are forced to remain at this level. In an 
    effort to provide maximum opportunity to those hired into the worker-
    trainee program, while remaining consistent with the intent of the 
    program, agencies have expressed interest in providing promotion 
    opportunity beyond the current program limits. This enhancement would 
    allow promotion beyond the GS-3, WG-4 levels when appropriate, and 
    would further the overall goals of the welfare to work program.
    
    Justification for New Limit
    
        While there is a need to recognize employee performance and provide 
    advancement opportunity, OPM must balance this with the original intent 
    of the program to provide opportunity for ``trainees'' to acquire or 
    improve basic skills. This program was designed and continues to 
    function as a ``trainee'' program for those individuals who are newly 
    hired into government service. Based on classification standards, the 
    highest grade level to which employees would be expected to advance 
    under this program would be to the GS-4, WG-5 or equivalent. We 
    therefore find this to be an appropriate level at which to limit 
    advancement in the worker-trainee program.
    
    Regulatory Flexibility Act
    
        I certify that this regulation will not have a significant economic 
    impact on a substantial number of small entities because it affects 
    only certain Federal employees.
    
    List of Subjects in 5 CFR Part 316
    
        Government employees.
    
    U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
    Janice R. Lachance,
    Director.
    
        Accordingly, OPM is proposing to amend part 316 of title 5, Code of 
    Federal Regulations, as follows:
    
    PART 316--TEMPORARY AND TERM EMPLOYMENT
    
        1. The authority citation for part 316 continues to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 5 U.S.C. 3301, 3302: E.O. 10577, 3 CFR 1954-1958 
    Comp., p. 218.
    
    Subpart B--TAPER Employment
    
        2. Section Sec. 316.201 paragraph (b) is revised to read as 
    follows:
    
    
    Sec. 316.201  Purpose and duration.
    
    * * * * *
        (b) Specific authority for Worker-Trainee positions. Agencies may 
    make TAPER appointments to positions at GS-1, WG-1 and WG-2 and may 
    reassign or promote the appointees to other positions through grade GS-
    4, WG-5, or equivalent grades in the Federal Wage System consistent 
    with Sec. 330.501 of this chapter. Agencies are authorized to reassign 
    or promote Worker-Trainees under this authority.
    [FR Doc. 98-30842 Filed 11-17-98; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 6325-01-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
11/18/1998
Department:
Personnel Management Office
Entry Type:
Proposed Rule
Action:
Proposed rule.
Document Number:
98-30842
Dates:
Written comments will be considered if received on or before December 18, 1998.
Pages:
64008-64008 (1 pages)
RINs:
3206 AI45
PDF File:
98-30842.pdf
CFR: (1)
5 CFR 316.201