Contract or "non-gevernment" employee?

[OkieDokie]

I work for a division of the DoJ. My employers say that I am a contract employee. However, they deduct all taxes, withholdings, etc., and I receive a W-2 and not a 1099. They provided all of my training and equipment. I have a set work schedule and I submit a time sheet that a supervisor must sign off on. However, I receive no benefits whatsoever- insurance, paid leave or retirement. My question: it would appear on the surface, that I am not a "contractor" but a full-time employee. If so, shouldn't I be receiving the same benefits that other full-time federal government employees receive? If so, where do I start to get the ball rolling? Also, my employer is well noted for cutting down hours to nearly nothing if anyone starts making waves until that "problem child" simply leaves. Sending you to, "Camp get right", as they like to call it. Thanks.

 

[army judge]

You're not a federal civil service employee.
You appear to be employed by a contractor to the DOJ.
There's no requirement that an employer provide benefits.
Your employer is deducting taxes, FICA, and other government rip off fees, including social insecurity.
All is well.
You're free to seek employment from an employer that offers benefits, otherwise nothing seems amiss in what you've described.

I'd say its OKEY DOKEY for you in Oklahoma.

 

[disagreeable]

The Gov't hires "contract employees" generally for a period not to exceed a certain length of time. These positions are not regular positions and when they are advertised it is clear one is not being hired as a regular employee and will not enjoy the status of such. The period of time can be extended under some conditions. The advantage to these positions is you can use them as a reference when applying for regular status jobs with the government.

 

[OkieDokie]

I'm not employed by a contractor. I work directly for the govt. agency. My paychecks are processed directly through the Dept. of Agriculture (even though I don't work for them ). Again, it's the gov't agency that I work for that deducts everything and issues the W2. Not a contracting company. I don't work through an outside employer.

 

[OkieDokie]

There are "contractors" working for this agency that have been there for well over two decades. That doesn't seem to fit the "certain length of time" factor you mention. Also, there are other "contractors" with this agency that work out of a different office, have the same job title, same responsibilities and also do not work through an outside contracting company- they get their checks directly from the gov't, however, they are paid $6/ hr more than us and also receive benefits. We work besides these folk on a regular basis and there is zero difference between us. They would also tell you that they too, are "contractors". Thanks.

 

[army judge]

There are "contractors" working for this agency that have been there for well over two decades. That doesn't seem to fit the "certain length of time" factor you mention. Also, there are other "contractors" with this agency that work out of a different office, have the same job title, same responsibilities and also do not work through an outside contracting company- they get their checks directly from the gov't, however, they are paid $6/ hr more than us and also receive benefits. We work besides these folk on a regular basis and there is zero difference between us. They would also tell you that they too, are "contractors". Thanks.

Okay, then, thanks for sharing.

 

[disagreeable]

I gave you the answer. If you do not like it, I cannot help that. You can reference such positions on USAjobs.gov.

 

[ElleMD]

It is legal to have different classes of jobs and those who work on a contract basis is not an uncommon one. Different levels of benefits may be offered to employees based on those classifications. You are an employee, just a "temp" for lack of a better term. Your contract governs the terms of your employment, not the general civil service regulations and employment rules, and that can extend to benefits. The ACA can complicate the insurance piece of that slightly but the full provisions of the law haven't been implemented (2015)and there are exceptions and carve outs, especially with government employment.