IRS Recalls Over 10,000 Employees to Perform ‘Mission-Critical’ Work

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) called for some 11,000 employees to voluntarily return to their offices to perform “mission-critical” functions while adhering to CDC recommended guidelines for utilizing face coverings and maintaining social distancing. The service’s requirement for face coverings, but limited ability to provide them, has stoked concern among some stakeholders.

In an email to employees from the Human Capital Office, the IRS noted that employees returning to physical office spaces would be required to wear cloth face coverings.

“Although the IRS is seeking to procure personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks and gloves, each IRS facility may not be able to initially procure the PPE for all employees immediately. Employees are therefore required to bring personal face coverings for their nose and mouth area when they come to work,” the email explains.

House Ways and Means Chairman Rep. Richard E. Neal (D-MA) and Ways and Means Oversight Subcommittee Chairman Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) raised alarm over the service’s inability to provide the PPE.

“It is understandable that in carrying out its mission during a crisis, the agency would require some employees to report back to work during perilous times. However, it is completely irresponsible and unethical for the IRS to demand those workers obtain their own protective equipment — this is the responsibility of the federal government to its workers,” the lawmakers said in a statement. “The agency is expecting entirely too much of employees who are likely distraught over the health risks returning to work presents for themselves and for their families, as well as the potential repercussions they could face if they do not clock in on Monday with the mandated equipment in-hand.”

While the IRS Human Capital Office email indicating that PPE would not be available was sent Friday afternoon, in a statement Monday by the Professional Managers Association (PMA), PMA President Chad Hooper explained that the IRS had informed PMA late Friday that the service was able to work with a contractor to obtain a supply of 3-ply surgical masks, disinfectant, and hand sanitizer for the employees returning to work.

“Given the supply chain issues and hundreds of locations from which the IRS operates, it will likely take additional time and efforts to ensure every facility is properly stocked with PPE. By allowing employees to bring their own PPE, Commissioner Rettig is ensuring that those willing to come to work are protected either with their own equipment or equipment provided,” Hooper said.

Conversely, the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) President Tony Reardon told GovExec that if the Service is unable to obtain PPE, employees should not be required to return to work.

“Because of the global health crisis, thousands of IRS employees are successfully teleworking,” Reardon said. “There are no immediate plans to pull them from the safety of their homes and NTEU believes they should remain on telework until all state and local stay-at-home orders are lifted and health and safety precautions have been met.”

While PMA President Hooper said the association would “unquestionably prefer” IRS employees remain home, Hooper also noted, “We are aware of the reality that the work of IRS managers and their staff, such as work to issue payments under the CARES Act, are life-sustaining measures for millions of Americans and cannot be done entirely remotely.”

“Without the employees being called to serve, customer service operations would remain unmanned, mail rooms would become stockpiles for backlogged taxpayer issues, and fraudsters seeking to take advantage of COVID-19 chaos may succeed. The question is not if employees should return to do this work, it is determining the safest method for their return to take place,” Hooper explained. “By requesting volunteers before requiring any IRS employees to return to work, Commissioner Rettig is ensuring that only those who consider themselves most able, low-risk of infection, eager to work, and, likely, able to access PPE come into the office.”

Employees will receive retention pay for returning to work with increased pay available based on the risk level of their role.