Merit System Principles
All human capital management decisions should be based on the merit system principles, which outline that supervisors and managers are responsible to:
- Recruit qualified individuals from all segments of society and
select and advance employees on the basis of merit after fair and open competition.
- Treat employees and applicants fairly and equitably, without regard
to political affiliation, race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status,
age, or handicapping condition.
- Provide equal pay for equal work and reward excellent performance.
- Maintain high standards of integrity, conduct, and concern for the
public interest.
- Manage employees efficiently and effectively.
- Retain and separate employees on the basis of their performance.
- Educate and train employees when it will result in better
organizational or individual performance.
- Protect employees from improper political influence.
- Protect employees against reprisal for the lawful disclosure of information in "whistleblower" situations (i.e., protecting people who report things like illegal and/or wasteful activities).
