The Department’s policy recognizes the desirability of making maximum use of available human resources, including those qualified individuals who are available for part-time employment. Part-time employment represents an opportunity to acquire and retain talented workers who otherwise might not be available to the Department (for example, older or disabled individuals, students, and parents with family responsibilities).

How Many Hours Must Part-time Employees Work Per Week?

Part-time employees are statutorily required to work between 16 and 32 hours per week. This limitation may be suspended when management determines that it is necessary to carry out the Department’s mission. However, an increase in the tour of duty above 32 hours per week is not permitted for more than two consecutive pay periods in keeping with Congressional intent to limit regular part-time work schedules to no more than 32 hours per week. (Employees who have worked continuously on a part-time schedule since April 1978 are exempt from this limitation.)

What Types of Jobs are Appropriate for Part-time Work?

Each DOJ Component determines what jobs are appropriate for part-time work or for a job-sharing arrangement and what work schedules will be set. Departmental policy, as published in Chapter 1-8 of the Human Resources Order, DOJ 1200.1, provides for part-time employment opportunities for positions in all grade levels subject to agency resources and mission requirements. The statute covering part-time positions in the Federal Government is 5 U.S.C. 3402.

How has the Department Used Part-time Workers?

Generally, the number of part-time positions within the Department has been limited, due in part to the Department’s law enforcement and litigative functions. The lack of specific goals or efforts within some organizations to increase the number of part-time positions or to consider structuring a part-time schedule to keep a valued employee from leaving affects the Department’s efforts to respond to the increasing number of employees seeking part-time job opportunities.

The Department has many employees in part-time positions who continue to perform their job responsibilities successfully. The types of positions represented include supervisory attorneys, attorneys, special agents, personnelists, legal technicians, administrative assistants, computer technicians, and budget and program analysts.

With increasing numbers of women of childbearing age entering the workforce, more dual-career and single-parent households trying to manage both work and family priorities, an aging workforce supporting elderly loved ones, and increasing pressures on all employees to “do it all,” part-time employment (as well as other worklife options) may represent another human resource tool available to managers for attracting and retaining well-qualified and highly valued employees.

How Does Job Sharing Work?

Two part-time employees can voluntarily share the duties and responsibilities of a full-time position. Any job can be filled by a team of job sharers when the arrangement meets the needs of the office and the employees. The employees can be two different grade levels and each work a different number of hours during a pay period. The team can work more than 80 hours during a pay period as long the organization has the funds available to cover their salaries. The best job-sharing arrangements are made up of team members who have complimentary skills, knowledge, and abilities and compatible work styles. For more information, consult the Job Sharing Bulletin Board.

How is a Part-time Employee’s Pay Computed?

Gross pay is computed by multiplying the employee’s hourly rate by the number of hours worked during the pay period. If a holiday falls on a day that the employee normally works, the employee is paid for the number of hours he/she was scheduled to work.

Are Benefits Available to Part-time Workers?

Part-time employees under permanent appointments are eligible for the same benefits as full-time employees: leave, retirement, health and life insurance coverage. The benefits are prorated according to the number of hours that the employee works. For example, an employee on a 20-hour per week schedule receives one-half the Government contribution towards health benefits. Most service calculations are also prorated.