The 31,000 employees hired in fiscal 2023 represented about a 40 percent increase over the prior year, including both internal and external hires. Image: AevanStock/Shutterstock.com
By: FEDweek StaffThe IRS has increased its rate of hiring under a funding boost from the Inflation Reduction Act but problems including “aging systems” and “communications breakdowns” and an overload of applicants have slowed the process, an inspector general report has said in findings that could apply as well at other agencies that undertake such hiring surges.
The 31,000 employees hired in fiscal 2023 represented about a 40 percent increase over the prior year, including both internal and external hires, a report said. However, despite authorities to expedite the process including direct hire, more than a third exceeded the 80 calendar day time to hire target; of those that exceeded the target, the average was 124 days. Such delays risk wasting money and losing out on prospective employees who opt for other employment opportunities instead, it said.
“For example, interviews with hiring officials revealed that when job announcements have many applicants, it becomes more difficult to meet the 15-calendar day target for evaluating the applications and timely issue certificates,” it said.
It also cited miscommunication between HR and selecting officials, delays in initial security checks, and “missing values and duplicated or invalid record information within the data used to track hiring information.”
The IRS agreed with recommendations related to improving training, communication, and coordination throughout the hiring process; developing comprehensive, up-to-date reference materials; and taking steps to improve the information accuracy and reduce data input errors in the IRS’s hiring management system.
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