Hearing to examine temporary employee hiring authorities, worker benefits and status, and proposals to convert temporary employees to permanent status when vacancies exists

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Wednesday, June 30, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. in room 2154 of the Rayburn House Office Building, the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service, and the District of Columbia will hold a oversight hearing entitled, “Temporary Employee Practices: How Long Does Temporary Last?” 

Specifically, the hearing will examine existing temporary hiring authorities and current regulations, and the resulting impact on temporary employees’ status and benefit offerings. The Subcommittee also plans to evaluate proposals to allow temporary employees who have prolonged years of service to qualify for permanent jobs. Further, the hearing will examine requests to obtain retirement credit by current federal employees with previous temporary service.

According to a GAO report, as well as from affected workers, temporary employees are being hired year after year, under different appointments, allowing agencies to maintain a workforce with neither commitments nor employee benefits given to the employees. Hence, the Subcommittee will examine the conditions for permanent seasonal employment; its drawbacks, challenges, and possible solutions to alleviate the plight of these workers.

“With 180,000 temporary employees, representing 10% of our federal civilian workforce, it is our duty as citizens to rectify a situation where many of these employees are being treated as second class workers,” said Chairman Stephen F. Lynch. “Although reforms have been made, we must sharpen our regulations and oversight to lessen any abuses that may be occurring. If the federal government is to truly shine as a model employer, we must treat all of our employees with the utmost fairness and respect.” 

Witness testimonies the Chairman’s opening statement, and a 2:00 p.m. live broadcast of the hearing can be found on the Subcommittee’s website, here

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The Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service, and the District of Columbia’s jurisdiction includes federal employee issues, non-appropriation municipal affairs of the District of Columbia, and the Postal Service, including post office namings, holidays, and commemoratives.