Performance Audit of Part-time Employment in King County
May 7, 2014
While King County provides greater benefits for part-time employees compared to its peers, it primarily uses part-time schedules to reduce labor costs. The County is somewhat restricted in its use of part-time schedules, however, because of provisions in the King County Code and Charter, which encourage full-time schedules and provide full benefits for many of those working part time. We make recommendations to improve information available to policy-makers regarding part-time employment and to provide guidance to county managers and departments regarding its use to further county strategic goals.
Audit Highlights
In many instances, King County uses part-time workers effectively for business purposes, but the lack of flexibility in county policies may limit opportunities for employees interested in voluntary part-time work. Given the low number of voluntary part-time workers and the advantages to both the County and employees from part-time work, increased use of part-time schedules may present opportunities for greater productivity and increased employee retention. Changing access to part time as well as the benefits costs associated with such work may involve amending the county charter and could result in unintended consequences such as reducing the availability of part-time workers.
About 10 percent of King County's 13,000 employees work part time, mainly as part-time transit operators. Almost all part-time employees work half time or more, thus receive the same benefits as full-time employees – at a cost of about $16,000 per employee in 2014.
We make two recommendations to improve the amount of information available regarding part-time employment and to provide guidance to county managers and departments regarding its use. Human resources management tools can be better utilized to gather data on employee interest and participation in part-time work. These actions would help develop more robust information regarding the relationship of part-time work with job retention and employee satisfaction.
This audit reviewed part-time employment in King County, the costs of part-time employees relative to their full-time counterparts, and the effect of existing policies and procedures regarding part-time work. We sought to identify ways King County could more effectively use part-time employees, and what information is necessary to improve current policies. This audit coincides with King County’s review of a number of long-standing employment practices and its attempt to overhaul and modernize the personnel system as part of its Employer of the Future initiative.
Recommendation Status
Of the 2 recommendations:
- DONE: 0
Recommendations have been fully implemented. Auditor will no longer monitor. - PROGRESS: 0
Recommendations are in progress or partially implemented. Auditor will continue to monitor. - OPEN: 0
Recommendations remain unresolved. Auditor will continue to monitor. - CLOSED: 2
Recommendation is no longer applicable. Auditor will no longer monitor.