Summary of Report 98-019

February 1998

Report Number 98-019

Overall Conclusion

The Commission has management control systems in place which provide some assurance that the $42.2 million in appropriations is used efficiently and effectively. However, ongoing, high-level attention is required to correct weaknesses noted with human resources practices and management information systems. Improvements are also needed to Ombudsman Program functions and the Commission's organizational structure.

Key Facts and Findings

Executive management does not provide sufficient oversight for human resource management. Other levels of management do not consistently monitor and enforce compliance with human resource policies and procedures.

As of August 31, 1997, there were 1,120 full-time employees employed by the Commission. Salary- and payroll-related costs totaled $38.8 million, representing 78 percent of the Commission's total expenditures. Lack of attention and adherence to human resource management controls can affect employee productivity and morale, and can increase legal costs.

Risks exist for the Commission's management information systems (MIS). The Commission's eight-year old mainframe computer is nearing full capacity and has high operating costs and slow response times. Our follow-up of issues from SAO Report Number 92-046 (A Review of Management Controls Guiding Implementation of the Workers' Compensation Act, February 1992) indicates that some policies and procedures for MIS have not been finalized or implemented. Current plans do not provide constituents and employees with a clear and common understanding of the technical direction in which the Commission is headed. A comprehensive data management process for collecting, storing, retrieving, and archiving data does not exist. The Commission has taken steps to address some of these issues.

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