Any Feds work part time?

[culper355]

I'm a fed and have been toying with the idea of working part time. I don't know anyone at my own agency who does, but I have run into colleagues in my field who have.  I'm trying to figure out how to approach my supervisors with the idea and have some kind of example to work with.  I'm also curious how benefits (leave, retirement, etc) were effected?

[supertrooper1]

I wish I had the option to go part time, but my agency quit allowing the part time option about 10 years ago. I think if you can convince your management that your job would be done but with you working part time, they'd be all for it. The OPM website has some good info. I was a seasonal employee when I first started, and OPM calculated the 6 months I worked seasonally as 1.5 years added to my full time EOD date. I'm not completely sure how they calculate retirement since I'm on the law enforcement retirement plan. But here's the link for leave:

www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/leave-administration/fact-sheets/annual-leave/

[mommyatty]

When I was a fed, I supervised as a second-line boss a woman who took this option. It was something of a nightmare for me as someone who was trying to run an office without a lot of extra budget and way more work than people to handle it. If you were under 32 hours a week, you were ineligible for medical benefits. (That may have changed.) She wanted the medical. She wanted to be considered for promotions, though she wouldn't go full-time. ("I'm doing work that's just like the GS-13s, so i should be a 13, too!" Um, no. You can't be given cases that require full-time attention because you don't work full-time.) She basically signed up for 32 hours a week to get benefits, then took a day a week of LWOP. Because she was on the books, I couldn't hire another lawyer to pick up her slack. It was terrible for everyone in her office. If I had been her direct supervisor, I would have put an end to it before it began.

So, if you're going to go part-time, know that you aren't getting promoted, and make sure you can show why you aren't needed more than the number of hours you are signing up for. Show what efficiencies you can bring to ensure everyone's life is going to be just as good as if you were there full-time. Keep in mind you are asking your supervisors to give up half an FTE. That's a big deal in this day and age.

[supertrooper1]

Feb 10, 2015 11:02:22 GMT -5 mommyatty said:

When I was a fed, I supervised as a second-line boss a woman who took this option. It was something of a nightmare for me as someone who was trying to run an office without a lot of extra budget and way more work than people to handle it. If you were under 32 hours a week, you were ineligible for medical benefits. (That may have changed.) She wanted the medical. She wanted to be considered for promotions, though she wouldn't go full-time. ("I'm doing work that's just like the GS-13s, so i should be a 13, too!" Um, no. You can't be given cases that require full-time attention because you don't work full-time.) She basically signed up for 32 hours a week to get benefits, then took a day a week of LWOP. Because she was on the books, I couldn't hire another lawyer to pick up her slack. It was terrible for everyone in her office. If I had been her direct supervisor, I would have put an end to it before it began.

So, if you're going to go part-time, know that you aren't getting promoted, and make sure you can show why you aren't needed more than the number of hours you are signing up for. Show what efficiencies you can bring to ensure everyone's life is going to be just as good as if you were there full-time. Keep in mind you are asking your supervisors to give up half an FTE. That's a big deal in this day and age.

With that logic, I should be getting GS-13 or 14 pay because I'm frequently asked to do that work when one of my supervisors is out of the office and the other 13's and 14's don't know how to do the work!

OP, I started thinking more about it, and have you considered AWS?  They're offering more alternative work schedules, and some work 10 hour days and love either a 3 day weekend or every Wednesday off.  That way you'd work less days but not mess with your retirement or benefits. 

[puffandstuff]

In addition to AWS can you telework. I know it's not the same as part time, but maybe it will give you more balance.

[mommyatty]

I loved AWS. I got every other Monday off. It was awesome. One of the things I miss about working for the Feds.

[texasmomma22]

I know that if you go part time it can be difficult to go back full time. Sometimes they can refuse it. Depends I guess if you have a good union and they will fight for you. I would love part time also but my husband says no.

[culper355]

Thanks guys. I'm actually a non sup 14 now, so I'm not sure if that will be a factor. I've thought about AWS, and telework isn't an option, I just want to be home more.