Inland Revenue staff are having to keep paper-based staff
records and limit access to an online human resources system
because it cannot cope with demand.
The SAP e-HR system was introduced to allow employees to view
payslips and update personal data online, and let managers record
and book sickness absence and holidays. The system is being run by
the Capgemini-led Aspire Consortium.
However, an internal Revenue memo seen by Computer Weekly said, "We
recognise that some people may need to keep a temporary paper
record of their absences, but these must be entered on e-HR as soon
as possible.
"Until further notice, only managers should use e-HR on a Monday.
This does not mean that managers should use the system only on a
Monday, but freeing space on the system that day should give
managers a better chance of completing actions to clear the backlog
of approval requests [for holiday and absentee records] and set up
substitutes if they have not already done so."
Despite the restrictions on the use of the system, the Revenue
denied there was an ongoing problem with e-HR.
The computer problems come at a bad time for the Revenue. It is
currently merging with Customs & Excise and is busy processing
self-assessment tax returns which had to be filed by 31
January.
Graham Steel, senior national officer at public sector union PCS,
said problems with the HR system were hindering staff. "The systems
cannot cope with the normal degree of access. It is becoming very
difficult for the HR teams to keep records up to date," he
said.
Together with uncertainty about the future of the HRdepartment,
computer problems were creating low morale in the department, Steel
added
The Inland Revenue employs 68,000 people in more than 400 locations
across the UK. The SAP e-HR system operates with a limit of 3,600
people using the system at the same time, the memo said.
A Revenue spokesman said, "Our e-HR system is working as normal.
The system has been considerably upgraded recently, which has
created much more demand on certain days. There have been occasions
when the system has not been as fast as we would like, though this
is down to increased use at particular times.
"The e-HR system will considerably enhance our human resource
functions, reduce the administrative burden on our managers and
give staff and management access to information much more
quickly."
The e-HR system has been introduced in phases from July 2003. This
spring will see the addition of an induction package for new
recruits and a facility for claiming travel expenses.