Human Resources

Temp Staff Helper Job Profile Sunset

Last updated: June 8, 2022

The Temporary Staff Helper (TSH) hourly-paid job profile (job code 11863) will be abolished effective July 1, 2022 in preparation of new state rules driven by changes in Washington State law.

Beginning January 1, 2022, instead of using TSH for hard-to-classify hourly work that does not meet a pro staff civil service exemption, departments will need to use an existing classified staff hourly job profile or professional staff hourly limited term appointment (job code 11850). To use the professional staff hourly limited term appointment (job code 11850), the work must fall under one of the professional staff civil service exemptions.

If you have an existing employee in a TSH job profile working through 2022, you have until June 30, 2022 before they must be moved into a different, existing job profile.

Earlier this year the HR Compensation Office reached out to departments heavily using TSH positions to help them find alternative job profiles for the work that will no longer able to be classified as TSH. These new job profiles became effective May 16, 2022 and were added to the classified job profile list at that time.

Starting January 1, 2022, no new Temp Staff Helper positions will be created.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will existing TSH positions with end dates in 2022 be allowed to continue?
A: Yes, but they may continue no later than 6/30/22. HR Compensation and HR Employment will work with departments to find other hourly paid job codes to properly classify the work formerly paid through TSH. To avoid a last-minute rush, we strongly encourage departments to find alternative job profiles for work as soon as possible.

Q: Will existing TSH positions for which other job codes have not been found be allowed to continue past 6/30/22?
A. No. Any TSH positions still active as of 7/1/22 will be ended and the employees in them will be terminated from their TSH positions at that time. We strongly encourage departments to work with central HR Compensation and HR Employment to find other, appropriate job codes for people in TSH before 7/1/22, and sooner if possible.

Q: What new classifications for hourlies are being created January 1, 2022?
A:  For general use: Art Model, Event Attendant/Usher, Accompanist, First Aid Attendant, Band Instrument Repair Technician and Interpreter/Translator; and for Intercollegiate Athletics (ICA) use only: Boat Assistant and Boat Operator. These are expected to be available for use by June 23, 2022.

Q: What is the process for transitioning an employee in a TSH position into a different job profile?
A: Follow these steps to move an employee in a TSH position into a different job profile:

  1. If you are unsure which job profile the position should move to, provide HR Compensation with a job description. HR Compensation will determine if the job duties meet the criteria for a professional staff or classified position and identify which job profile is appropriate for the work.
  2. Once there is a determination, follow the standard recruitment process to create a position. A competitive recruitment is not required for temporary positions.

Q: What is the impact of upcoming changes to the temporary employment program on the determination of whether to move the employee into a classified position?
A: Prior to July 1, if the position is determined to be classified the employee will be hired into a temporary hourly position. As we prepare to utilize nonpermanent classified job profiles on August 1st (or later, depending on contract negotiations), UWHR will communicate about the process to convert employees from temporary hourly positions into nonpermanent positions.

If you have a question about a specific TSH position, please contact your HR Compensation Consultant or email uwhrcomp@uw.edu or medcomp@uw.edu for positions in the medical centers.