In an audit released today, the Office of the Metro Auditor reviewed progress made on recommendations in the 2010 audit, Leave Management: Improve monitoring capacity. The original audit found there were differences in leave taken by staff in different departments and employee groups. Because Metro did not monitor and analyze employee attendance agency-wide, it had limited ability to manage employee leave. After reviewing progress on the 2010 audit recommendations, auditors found that one of the eight recommendations was successfully implemented. Five other recommendations were in process and two had not been implemented.
The 2010 audit recommended increasing data quality, producing agency-wide leave reports, addressing underlying causes for differences in leave use and comparing use to other jurisdictions. “The Human Resources Department began a two-phase process,” Metro Auditor Flynn said, “and completed considerable work on the first phase – improving the management of family leave as defined by state and federal law.” Auditor Flynn also stated that Metro should continue work on the second phase, which will address misuse and strategies to improve attendance. She was pleased with management’s response and the proposed next steps.
Copies of the audit can also be obtained by calling the Office of the Metro Auditor at 503-797-1892. Although not yet scheduled, the Metro Auditor will brief the Metro Council.