Problems With Uniform Payroll System Reported by DOT Employees

AFMD-83-24: Published: May 11, 1983. Publicly Released: Jun 16, 1983.

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In response to a congressional request, GAO reviewed payroll complaints from employees of the Federal Highway Administration's (FHwA) Central Direct Federal Division (CDFD).

GAO noted that the employees' concerns arose from the recent implementation of a centralized Department of Transportation (DOT) payroll system. Specifically, employees were concerned about: (1) problems resulting from early preparation and certification of time and attendance (T&A) reports; (2) later delivery of paychecks to construction sites; and (3) added costs of the Uniform Payroll System due to additional paperwork, use of express mail, and limitations imposed by the design of the computer program. GAO believes that most of the employees' concerns can be resolved within the framework of the centralized system.

Recommendations for Executive Action

  1. Status: Closed - Implemented

    Comments: When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

    Recommendation: The Secretary of Transportation should direct the Administrator, FHwA, to require that, whenever possible, CDFD employees desiring faster delivery of their paychecks request that their checks be mailed directly to their work sites rather than to Denver.

    Agency Affected: Department of Transportation

  2. Status: Closed - Implemented

    Comments: When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

    Recommendation: The Secretary of Transportation should request, in situations where early certifications are necessary, a deviation from the GAO requirement that certifications not be made earlier than the close of the last day of the pay period.

    Agency Affected: Department of Transportation

  3. Status: Closed - Implemented

    Comments: When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

    Recommendation: The Secretary of Transportation should direct the Administrator, FHwA, to require that amended T&A reports be submitted to FHwA headquarters in time to be processed in each pay period's checks, thereby reducing the need for prior period adjustments.

    Agency Affected: Department of Transportation

  4. Status: Closed - Implemented

    Comments: When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

    Recommendation: The Secretary of Transportation should review the current T&A certification process departmentwide.

    Agency Affected: Department of Transportation

 

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