Local Governmental Entities: Have You Reviewed Your Employment Policies?

In Utah, even the smallest local government entity has a duty to create a merit-based employment system, i.e., a civil service system, and conduct an annual review of the system. If you are an elected official, have you assured that such a system has been established or that an annual review has been conducted?

Why do governmental entities have civil service systems?

Although each state's systems were established at different times and have different historical development, most civil service systems were established as part of the governmental reform movements during the turn of the 20th Century. The idea was that employment positions in government should not be viewed as a prize to be doled out by winners of an election. The intention was to reduce corruption and to decrease the politicization of government response to citizens. Additionally, by giving rank-and-file government employees stability in their jobs, the reformers believed that governments would become more efficient and responsive.

Whether the goals were laudable or even realized is subject to vigorous debate. However, the result in Utah was that all local government entities are required to established merit-based systems for their rank-and-file employees.