What is the State and Local Picture of Civil Service Merit System Today?
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The civil merit system is employed to hire and promote government employees in the United States based on their performances. By the early 1800s, merit reforms were adopted to manage and select public workers at both states, national and local levels. However, the reform advocates agreed that employees would be selected based on their competence than patronage to political parties (Nelson, 2004). The merit system was designed to ensure open and fair recruitment, employment, and competition, free from any non-merit factors or political influences. The federal civil service continues to remain in the same state for many years since it was established. Despite an increase in the number of employees, the merit system has made petite progress at both state and national levels (Nelson, 2004). Despite facing many drawbacks since its establishment, there is light at the end of the tunnel as the system strives to bring change and address problems raised by employees.
The federal government enacted the merit system circa 1883. It was mainly established to improve different parts of the federal government workforce previously staffed by the political class or spoils system. Bring controlled by the political parties, and the system lacked informed criteria of open and fair practices due to political influence and other non-merit factors (Nelson, 2004). By the eve of 1829, the United States was going through profound political, social, and economic changes. The system replaced the old political and socioeconomic order established during the colonial era, as the country witnessed a growth of economic markets and industries. Rapid economic growth saw the need for a system that would help address employees’ needs and promote equitable working conductions free from political influence (Schultz, 2002). By the mid-19th century, corruption and high graft levels become major areas of concern, calling for civil service reforms. Most of the reforms adopted during the 18th and 19th centuries were only driven by political interests, which impacted the system goals’ realization. However, economic and political interest played a critical role in motivating reforms in the movements. Although they have brought some light to the service’s performance, reforms in the system have faced many challenges.
Arguably, the system witnessed drastic reforms intended to establish a system that protects federal employees and employment from exploitation by partisan politics and offers the federal government a competent and free neutral workforce. After its initiation, the system faced serious challenges until the passage of the Pendleton Act of 1883, paving the way for operations of the merit system (Schultz, 2002). After 1883 the establishment of the civil service commission by the federal government played a critical role in changing the image of civil service merit service. Reforms to adopt the civil service commission ensured all government employees were placed under the merit system, making the soil system end (Schultz, 2002). The merit system witnessed significant improvement in its professionalism, efficiency, and effectiveness to address federal employee problems.
In conclusion, since the merit system’s establishment, many local and state governments have adopted the idea, thus promoting economic growth. Georgia passed a merit system reform act that played a critical role in changing the image of civil service in the state. Currently, most states have reformed the system to promote equity and archive their millennial goal. The merit system reforms in Georgia represent radical changes witnessed in the system but are expected to bring public relations changes by reducing graft and corruption.
References
Nelson, S. (2004). The state of the federal civil service today: Aching for reform. Review of Public Personnel Administration, 24(3), 202-215.
Schultz, D. (2002). Civil service reform.