Benefits for Part-Time Permanent Employees
Part-time employees under permanent appointments are eligible, on a prorated
basis, for the same benefits as full-time employees: leave, retirement,
and health and life insurance coverage. The following describes eligibility, coverage, and limitations.
Leave and Holidays
Employees earn annual and sick leave on a prorated basis depending on
the number of hours worked per pay period. An employee with less than
3 years of service earns 1 hour of annual leave for each 20 hours worked;
with 3 but less than 15 years of service, the employee earns 1 hour for
each 13 hours worked; and with 15 or more years of service earns 1 hour
for each 10 hours worked.
Part-time employees earn 1 hour of sick leave for each 20 hours worked.
Part-time employees are also eligible for other kinds of leave and are
covered by the rules governing the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993
and the Federal Employees Family-Friendly Leave Act.
If a holiday falls on a day the employee normally works, the employee
is paid for the number of hours he or she was scheduled to work, not to
exceed 8 hours, except for an employee on a compressed work schedule.
A part-time employee is not entitled to a holiday which falls on a day
the employee is not normally scheduled to work.
Retirement
Retirement annuities are based on an employee=s length of service and
the highest annual base pay received for any three consecutive years.
Each year of part-time service counts as one full year toward the
length of service requirement. However, the annuity calculation for periods
of part-time service after April 6, 1986, is prorated to reflect the difference
between full-time and part-time service. Employees who are considering
a change to a part-time work schedule should obtain an estimate of their
retirement benefits from their agency's benefits office.
Health Insurance
Part-time employees who participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits
Program receive the same coverage as full-time employees but pay a greater
percentage of the premium because the Government's share is prorated based
on the number of hours the employee is scheduled to work each week. For
example, an employee on a 20-hour-per-week schedule receives one-half
the Government contribution towards the premium.
Life Insurance
A part-time employee is eligible to participate in the Federal Employees
Group Life Insurance Program. The amount of insurance for which an employee
is eligible is based on the part-time employee's annual salary applicable
to his or her tour of duty.
Qualification Determinations
Part-time work is prorated for determining qualification requirements.
For example, an employee who works 20 hours a week would receive credit
for 6 months of experience at the end of 12 months of work.