Why was Burt trying to manipulate Irving in s1?

It seems obvious on a rewatch that Burt was being dishonest with Irving.

He lied about having a 2 person department, then happened to bump into Irving in the hall, after doing a team building activity with two people, holding the activity they were doing...

It was almost like Burt was on radio with security being told when to walk, so they would bump into each other.

Why do you think Burt was trying to make 'friends' with Irving?

Is someone suspicious that he could be reintegrated and asking him to do it?