[dsp]

Yes, the standard withholding methods produce poor results when pay does not arrive evenly through the whole year.

It is possible for employers to use alternative methods. IRS Pub. 15-T sec. 6 has details on common alternatives and constraints.

I have no idea to what extent employers support any of these alternative methods. I imagine it's limited to employers where much of their workforce is overwithheld using the standard methods. One example might be a school district where teachers are only paid when in session.