November 3, 2006 |
2006-R-0663 | |
TEMPORARY WORKERS AT THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE SERVICES | ||
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By: John Moran, Principal Analyst | ||
You asked a series of questions related to temporary workers at the Department of Revenue Services (DRS). Below you will find the questions followed by the answers that DRS provided.
1. How many temporary workers does DRS employ? Is it the same number every year?
As of early October, DRS employed 51 temporary workers, classified as temporary clerks. During the tax season, from January to May, the agency employs approximately 200. The number of temporary clerks DRS employs is consistent each year. Temporary clerks do not work more than 1,044 hours (six months at 40 hours a week) per calendar year.
2. What are they paid? Have they had any raises in recent years?
Although temporary clerks are not union members, they are paid in accordance with salary group CL 8, Step 1 of the administrative clerical (NP-3) union agreement. Currently this is $ 14. 01 per hour. Raises are based on the administrative clerical agreement (i. e. , if the contract calls for a raise for CL 8, Step 1, DRS gives the temporary workers the same increase).
3. Do they get any benefits or paid days off?
For the first 90 calendar days, temporary clerks receive no paid days off. After 90 calendar days of employment, they are paid for holidays provided they work the day before or the day after the holiday. Like other nonpermanent positions in state service, temporary clerks do not receive sick or vacation time or health coverage.
4. What are their duties?
Most temporary clerks work in the DRS Operations Division where they generally perform tasks such as opening, separating, and dispersing mail; date-stamping material; and checking tax forms to insure that taxpayers have completed three specific areas. In addition, several are assigned to taxpayer services to answer phones, greet taxpayers, and provide basic information.
5. Are they doing the same work as permanent employees?
DRS indicated that some permanent employees may perform some of the basic tasks identified above as a minor portion of their full-time jobs. No permanent employees work side by side with temporary clerks performing the same functions. Temporary clerks are needed to help process the extremely high volume of tax returns and telephone calls DRS receives each tax season.
6. Have some of the same employees returned every year for the temporary work?
Agency officials say they are fortunate that a large number of temporary workers return each year. Some are retirees; some are people who are looking for part-time work. Returnees are already oriented to DRS's operations and needs so they require minimal training.
JM: ts