FR 2025-03846

The document published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System discusses a proposal to extend and modify the New Hire Information Collection for an additional three years. This entails transitioning the collection platform to Workday Onboarding and revising various information categories and data fields. Public comments are invited on the proposal, and all comments must be submitted by May 12, 2025.

General Summary

The proposal primarily deals with collecting information from new hires at the Board. The purpose is to streamline the onboarding process by utilizing a secure web-based system, Workday Onboarding. The revisions aim to enhance efficiency and ensure necessary data is collected electronically before a new hire's start date. This online collection will replace the traditional hardcopy documents.

Significant Issues and Concerns

Several issues warrant attention in this proposal:

• Cost Implications: The document does not disclose the estimated expenses associated with implementing the new system, Workday Onboarding. For stakeholders, especially the public, understanding these costs is crucial as they might influence the agency's budget and, indirectly, public expenditure.

• Cost-Benefit Analysis: There is no mention of a cost-benefit analysis justifying the transition from the New Hire Portal to Workday Onboarding. Such an analysis could help justify the switch by illustrating tangible benefits over existing systems.

• Technical Aspects: The document presents certain procedural changes, especially concerning login processes and identity proofing. These technical components might be confusing for readers without IT expertise, as the document lacks simplified explanations or context.

• Data Privacy and Security: The potential impact on data privacy and security due to new data collection methods and platforms is not discussed. The public and new hires may have concerns about how their personal information is handled and protected.

• Burden Hours Explanation: A detailed explanation of how the estimated annual burden hours are calculated is missing. It is unclear how specific activities contribute to these hours, making it difficult for the public to assess the proposal's efficiency or burden.

• Form Inclusion Justification: The proposal includes forms previously not subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) without a clear explanation for this change. Understanding the reasoning could help stakeholders assess the necessity and implications of these inclusions.

Broad Public Impact

The proposal's revisions could enhance the efficiency of the hiring process at the Federal Reserve, possibly leading to faster and more accurate data handling. This might serve as a model for similar improvements in other federal hiring processes. However, with no clear discussion on costs or a detailed breakdown of burden hours, there is a lack of transparency in potential implications for taxpayers.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

New Hires: For individuals joining the Board, these changes mean accessing and interacting with a secure, potentially more user-friendly onboarding system. However, technical aspects and identity verification steps could pose challenges, especially for those less familiar with online systems.

Federal Reserve System: Internally, the shift to Workday Onboarding might streamline administrative processes, reducing manual data entry and error rates. Yet, the lack of cost disclosures points to potential budgetary impacts that might need further clarification.

Data Privacy Advocates: These stakeholders might view the proposed changes as a cause for concern regarding data handling. Without explicit security measures outlined in the document, there may be worries about data protection, especially with the transition to a new platform.

In conclusion, while the proposal presents potential improvements in efficiency and technology use, it also raises questions around costs, data security, and procedural clarity for various stakeholders. Addressing these concerns through a comprehensive analysis and detailed communication could strengthen the proposal's justification and acceptance.