ABA Family Legal Guide

Law and the Workplace

On the Job

Special Rights of Public Employees

What are civil service laws?

Civil service laws establish employment policies for public employees based on the merit principle. The purpose behind establishing civil service laws was to eliminate political considerations in the employment process. The elements of a civil service system generally include guidelines for recruiting applicants, testing programs for screening applicants, impartial hiring criteria, job classifications based on duties and responsibilities, and protection against arbitrary discipline and discharge. A commission is usually established to ensure that the public employer is following the civil service rules. The particulars of civil service laws and the role and operation of the commission vary from state to state.