The Merit System encompasses these basic principles and concepts:

♦ Hiring and promoting employees on the basis of ability, with open competition in initial employment.

♦ Providing for compensation.

♦ Retaining employees on the basis of performance.

♦ Correcting inadequate performance and separating those who inadequate performance cannot be corrected.

♦ Training employees as needed for high quality performance.

♦ Assuring fair treatment of all applicants and employees in all aspects of personnel administration without regard to political affiliation, race, color, national origin, sex or religious creed and with proper regard for their privacy and Constitutional rights as citizens.

♦ Protecting employees against political coercion and prohibiting use of official positions to affect an election or nomination for office.