Public Health Service employment freeze
This article was originally published in The Rose Sheet
Executive Summary
Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Health Philip Lee imposes a temporary employment freeze throughout PHS effective Dec. 8, including a moratorium on promotions to the GS- 14 level. Citing an increase in PHS employment despite established targets for reduced full-time equivalent (FTE) staffing for fiscal 1994 and 1995, Lee explains in a memo to PHS agency heads that "this freeze will enable PHS to restrict hiring pending final FY 1994 and FY 1995 FTE levels and to assess total employment in light of the Vice President's National Performance Review (NPR) and the President's Executive Order to reduce federal employment." During the freeze period, Lee's staff will meet with agency heads to discuss the development of their plans to meet employment targets, including a 12% staffing reduction by FY 1999