Pendleton Civil Service Act Flashcards, test questions and answers

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What is Pendleton Civil Service Act?

The Pendleton Civil Service Act, signed into law in 1883 by President Chester A. Arthur, was the first major reform of the U.S. federal government’s system for hiring and managing its employees. This landmark legislation sought to put an end to patronage-based appointments that were often granted based on political connections rather than merit or qualifications. The act established a merit-based civil service system that required applicants for certain government positions to take written examinations in order to be considered for hire and promotion within their respective departments or agencies. In addition, it barred officials from firing employees without just cause and mandated that any investigation into wrongdoing by federal workers should be conducted with due process guidelines in place.At the time of its passage, civil servants made up less than 4% of all federal jobs; however, following implementation of the Pendleton Civil Service Act this figure increased significantly over time as more citizens began applying for available positions using newly created competitive exams. The act also broadened the scope of protections afforded to public servants by prohibiting discrimination against them on account of race, religion, sex or national origin (though gender discrimination would remain legal until passage of Title VII). Furthermore, it limited tenure requirements so that permanent job security could not be taken away without good cause a provision which remains today as part of modern civil service regulations nationwide .By providing greater transparency to the recruitment process and ensuring fair treatment towards all employees regardless of background or affiliation ,the Pendleton Civil Service Act has become one vital pillar upon which our current federal government workforce is built upon . Its legacy continues today through various laws protecting employee rights and equal opportunity employment opportunities across America.