Work-Life Programs

Employee Assistance and Work-life Referral Services

IRS is committed to helping employees balance work and family life. IRS provides employee assistance and work-life referral services for all IRS employees and their immediate family members. Employee assistance services and work-life referral services help families overcome stressful life issues and personal concerns. Employee assistance services include cost-free confidential counseling to address a variety of personal issues you or your dependents may be facing. Counseling services include issues relating to marital conflict, stress, grief/loss, depression, alcohol and drug abuse. Work-life referral services provide free information and resources for legal, financial, eldercare, childcare, and other issues. All services are provided by ComPsych Corporation.

Health Services

The IRS recognizes the importance of maintaining a healthy and fit Federal work force. Health services available to IRS employees promote and help maintain the physical and mental fitness of our employees. Available health services include flu shots, cholesterol and blood pressure screenings, smoking cessation programs, and wellness workshops. Health units, located in many IRS locations also provide episodic care, health screening, health risk appraisals and other services.

Some IRS locations have on-site workout facilities. There are twenty-seven fitness centers located nationwide. These facilities are available for IRS employee use at no cost.

Telework

Telework (also referred to as “telecommuting”,”flexible workplace”, “remote work,” “virtual work,” and “mobile work”) refers to work done outside of the traditional on-site work environment. IRS employees, when approved by management, are permitted to regularly perform officially assigned duties at home or other work sites geographically convenient to their residence. Opportunities to telework depend on the job position and work assignments involved.

Drug Free Workplace Program

It is the policy of the Federal government to ensure a drug-free workplace and offer prevention and/or treatment programs and services for substance abuse to federal employees. IRS has a drug-free workplace plan, which includes an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) as an essential element in achieving a drug-free workplace. IRS employees experiencing drug and/or alcohol problems have an opportunity to seek rehabilitation, resolve associated issues and become fully productive members of the workforce.

Child Care

Balancing the needs of work and family life can be challenging. IRS recognizes that many employees have child care needs. IRS works in partnership with the General Services Administration (GSA) to provide on-site child care facilities. GSA manages child care centers in 31 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Ten child care centers are co-located with IRS facilities. The Worklife Referral Services Program also provides free referral information to assist IRS employees with finding care for children, grandchildren and eldercare.

Leave Sharing Program

The Leave Sharing Program is a benefit program that permits IRS employees to use donated annual leave due to a personal or family medical emergency. The Leave Sharing Program is comprised of the Leave Bank and Leave Transfer Programs. Employees who are members of the IRS Leave Bank may apply and receive leave from the Leave Bank when facing a medical emergency. The Leave Transfer Program allows employees to receive donated leave from other employees when facing a medical emergency. The Leave Sharing program is open to full time and part-time employees.

Employee Suggestion Program

Employee suggestions to improve work processes and working conditions provide a valuable and unique source of ideas which can increase the efficiency of the IRS and employee morale. The IRS Employee Suggestion Program (ESP) recognizes IRS employees as a critical part of increasing overall efficiency and economy of Government operations. IRS recognizes employees whose adopted ideas result in savings or improvements. Employees may receive up to 25% of the tangible first year savings resulting from an adopted suggestion. Suggestions awards may be paid in cash, time off from work, or a combination of both.