Summary: In response to a congressional request, GAO conducted a review of the Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) planned reductions in force (RIF) for fiscal year (FY) 1983.
GAO did not find that HUD violated legal or regulatory requirements applicable to: (1) justifications for the RIF; (2) the performance of job analyses of positions to be abolished; or (3) the establishment of competitive levels for HUD employees. GAO also did not find that the agency's operating below personnel ceiling constituted an impoundment of funds, or that the planned RIF would terminate a disproportionate number of minority and female employees. The HUD FY 1983 Appropriation Act stipulates that none of the funds made available in the act are to be used prior to January 1, 1983, to plan, design, implement, or administer any reorganization of HUD without the prior approval of the Committees on Appropriations. GAO was not able to determine whether all current expenditures by HUD to implement the RIF are allowable, in view of this restriction. However, of the 83 jobs abolished to date, 21 were justified by HUD on grounds which appeared to GAO to violate this statutory restriction.
