(1) Employers are encouraged to limit the duration of nonpermanent appointments for reasons specified in WAC 357-19-360(1) to 12 months from the appointment date.

(2) A nonpermanent appointment for a reason specified in WAC 357-19-360 (1)(a) through (d) must not exceed 24 months unless the director has approved an extension of the appointment due to the continued absence of a permanent employee. An employer may choose to not count time spent in formal training programs towards the 24-month limit. On-the-job training is not considered a formal training program for purposes of this rule.

(3) A nonpermanent appointment specified in WAC 357-19-360(2) must not exceed three months unless a longer duration is mutually agreed upon between the employee and general government employer(s) and conditions continue to exist in accordance with WAC 357-04-124. Appointments must not exceed 24 months unless the director has approved an extension of the appointment.