Article 8: Part-Time Employment

Section 1

A. The Employer recognizes the principles of the Federal Employees Part-Time Career Employment Act of 1978, 5 U.S.C. §§ 3401-3408, which provides for increased part-time career employment opportunities in the Federal service, and the Employer will comply with the requirements of the Act and the implementing regulations, 5 C.F.R. 340, et seq. The Employer will provide the Union with copies of all reports to OPM required under 5 C.F.R. 340, et seq.

B. The Employer and the Union acknowledge that employees may desire to request part-time employment for reasons such as family responsibilities, education, medical conditions and gradual transition to retirement.

Section 2

An employee wishing to work part-time will submit a written request to his or her immediate supervisor. The employee’s request will indicate the preferred schedule (no fewer than sixteen (16) and no more than thirty-two (32) hours per week), and duration, and also may include a general reason for the requested part-time employment.

Section 3

An employee’s supervisor will consider the employee’s request to work a part-time schedule based on the Employer’s budget, staffing, workload, and mission requirements. Employee requests will be handled in a fair manner, and the Employer will not unreasonably deny such requests. The Employer will respond in writing within fourteen (14) calendar days of receipt. In the event of denial, the Employer will provide the employee with reasons for the denial in writing.

Section 4

A. An employee approved for a part-time schedule for a period of three (3) months or less may return to full-time employment at the conclusion of the approved period of part-time employment. The Employer will give special consideration to an employee’s request for pre-approval of his or her return to a full-time schedule from a period of part-time employment of more than three (3) months to complete course work within a semester.

B. The Employer will consider an employee’s request to return to a full-time schedule from a period of part-time employment of more than three (3) months based on budgetary considerations and staffing, workload, and mission requirements.

C. Employee requests will be handled in a fair manner, and the Employer will not unreasonably deny such requests. The Employer will respond in writing within fourteen (14) calendar days of receipt. In the event of denial, the Employer will provide the employee with reasons for the denial in writing.

D. With four (4) weeks advanced written notice, full-time employees who have been given permission to work a part-time schedule, may be required to return to a full-time schedule if the arrangement interferes with the Employer’s ability to meet budget, mission, staffing or workload requirements.

Section 5

The Employer will not abolish any position occupied by an employee in order to make the duties of such position available to be performed on a part-time basis.

Section 6

An employee who is employed on a full-time basis will not be required to accept part-time employment as a condition of continued employment.

Section 7

An employee’s part-time status will not preclude him or her from consideration for career ladder promotions, in accordance with Article 15 (Career Ladder Promotions).

Section 8

An employee’s part-time status will not preclude him or her from consideration for merit promotion to a position requiring a full-time schedule. The Employer may condition a merit promotion upon return to a full-time schedule.

Section 9

A. In accordance with law, rule, regulations and OPM guidance, part-time employees shall earn a full year of service for each calendar year worked (regardless of schedule) for the purpose of computing dates for the following:

• Retirement eligibility;
• Career tenure;
• Completion of probationary period;
• Within-grade pay increases;
• Change in leave category; and
• Time-in-grade restrictions on advancement. 

B. Before an employee is assigned to a part-time position, the Employer will brief the employee on the impact of this assignment on the following: health and life insurance, promotion, pay issues, leave, retirement, and reductions in force.

Section 10

If a holiday falls on a day a part-time employee is scheduled to work and the employee does not work, he or she is paid at his or her basic rate of pay for the number of hours scheduled for that day. Conversely, if a holiday falls on a day a part-time employee is not scheduled to work, he or she is not entitled to compensation for the holiday.