TVA Employee Overtime

The OIG performed this audit to (1) identify excessive amounts of overtime, (2) determine if overtime was properly approved and(3) determine if controls are in place to prevent situations where fatigue could reduce the ability of operating personnel to work in a safe condition. During our audit, we found overtime hours were not passed to TVA's payroll system for payment until they had been approved in the time-reporting system, eWorkplace. Although the post approval process appears adequate, we found inconsistent methods for documenting preapproval of overtime. Additionally, we noted TVA lacks organizational guidance for management of fatigue and work-hour limits in all operational areas other than TVA Nuclear.We recommended TVA's Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Operations: (1) implement a common procedure for preapproval of overtime; (2) develop guidance for all of TVA for managing fatigue and controlling work hours; and (3) review positions within the organization where employees are working excessive amounts of overtime on a regular basis, to determine whether safety and/or productivity are a concern. TVA management agreed with our findings and recommendations and provided planned actions to address them.