The HMRC has terminated 179 employees for gross misconduct, marking a five-year high.
- This rise represents a 43% increase compared to the 125 dismissals in 2020.
- These dismissals now account for the majority of HMRC’s 321 total terminations in the current year.
- Breaches leading to these dismissals include severe misconduct like fraud and data mishandling.
- The increase in misconduct cases highlights a stricter enforcement of conduct standards at HMRC.
Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) recently reported a significant upsurge in employee terminations due to gross misconduct, reaching a five-year high of 179 dismissals this year. This increase marks a significant shift, as it is 43% higher than the 125 dismissals recorded in 2020, which only made up 28% of all terminations at that time.
These latest dismissals represent over half of the 321 terminations at HMRC this year, reinforcing a new, more stringent disciplinary policy within the agency. Gross misconduct is a serious breach and covers behaviors such as bullying, theft, and intoxication, as well as acts specific to HMRC, such as unlawful disclosure of sensitive taxpayer data and fraudulent activities involving government systems.
In an egregious case, one employee was sentenced to over two years in prison for defrauding taxpayers of £300,000 in child benefits through false claims, made possible by accessing information via her workplace computer. Other dismissals have involved unauthorized database access, as illustrated by a Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) employee’s improper use of the ‘Searchlight’ database.
The DWP itself has faced similar challenges, reporting 190 dismissals for gross misconduct this fiscal year, with incidents constituting about 40% of all their terminations, slightly reduced from the previous year’s figures of 221.
The HMRC’s decision to address disciplinary issues more proactively comes amid operational difficulties, including severely declining customer service levels. Last year, the agency answered only 66% of customer calls, falling short of its 85% target and down from 71% the previous year, leading to criticism by the Public Accounts Committee.
The department’s challenges are compounded by increased demands on its services, driven by more taxpayers reaching higher rates due to stagnant tax thresholds. Additionally, internal reports of bullying and harassment stand at 8%, while employee engagement is only 56%, the lowest in the civil service, contrasting with a 64% benchmark.
Amid these issues, a governmental spokesperson acknowledged the commonality of behavioral issues in large organizations but emphasized the commitment to a respectful and inclusive work environment. The spokesperson reiterated the importance of adherence to conduct codes to prevent misconduct.
The anticipation of additional funding for recruitment signifies a crucial need for strong oversight to uphold standards and address the agency’s performance deficits.
The significant rise in dismissals underscores HMRC’s commitment to enforcing strict conduct standards amidst ongoing operational challenges.
