[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
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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]
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