Civil Service FAQ Key Civil Service Laws Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 significantly restructured the federal civil service framework by abolishing the Civil Service Commission and establishing which three key agencies?
- The Government Accountability Office (GAO), the General Services Administration (GSA), and the Office of Government Ethics (OGE)
- The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Department of Labor (DOL), and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
- The Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), and the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) (Correct answer)
- The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the National Security Agency (NSA)
Correct answer: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), and the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA)
A central feature of the CSRA of 1978 was the dissolution of the Civil Service Commission and the distribution of its functions among three new, independent agencies: OPM to handle personnel management, MSPB to adjudicate employee appeals and protect the merit systems, and FLRA to oversee federal labor-management relations.
Question 2: A federal employee, while on duty and in a government building, uses their official email account to solicit campaign donations for a partisan political candidate. This action is a direct violation of which law?
- The Hatch Act of 1939 (Correct answer)
- The Pendleton Act of 1883
- The Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989
- The Lloyd-La Follette Act of 1912
Correct answer: The Hatch Act of 1939
The Hatch Act of 1939 restricts the political activities of federal employees. It specifically prohibits engaging in political activity—such as soliciting campaign contributions—while on duty, in a federal room or building, wearing an official uniform, or using a government vehicle.
Question 3: What was the primary purpose of the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act of 1883?
- To establish the right of federal employees to form labor unions.
- To grant veterans preference in federal hiring.
- To protect employees who report government waste and fraud.
- To replace the political spoils system with a merit-based system for federal employment. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: To replace the political spoils system with a merit-based system for federal employment.
The Pendleton Act was landmark legislation that established the principle of federal employment on the basis of open, competitive exams and created the Civil Service Commission. This effectively ended the widespread practice of awarding government jobs based on political connections (the "spoils system").
Question 4: An accountant at a federal agency reports to the Office of Inspector General that their supervisor is intentionally misusing federal funds for personal travel. Shortly after, the accountant is given a poor performance review for the first time in their career, leading to their dismissal. This retaliation is specifically prohibited by the:
- Ethics in Government Act
- Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 (Correct answer)
- Pendleton Act of 1883
- Hatch Act of 1939
Correct answer: Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989
The Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 is designed to protect federal employees who disclose information they reasonably believe evidences a violation of law, a gross waste of funds, or an abuse of authority. Retaliating against a whistleblower, such as through a punitive performance review or termination, is a prohibited personnel practice.
Question 5: The Veterans' Preference Act of 1944 provides a significant advantage to eligible veterans seeking federal employment primarily by:
- Adding points to their passing scores on competitive examinations or assessments. (Correct answer)
- Guaranteeing them an interview for any position for which they are qualified.
- Exempting them from all background check requirements.
- Allowing them to be hired non-competitively for any Senior Executive Service position.
Correct answer: Adding points to their passing scores on competitive examinations or assessments.
The Veterans' Preference Act of 1944 gives eligible veterans an advantage in federal hiring by adding 5 or 10 points to their passing scores on competitive examinations or other rating procedures. This preference is applied after a candidate is deemed qualified for a position.
Question 6: Which of the following rights for federal employees was formally established by the Lloyd-La Follette Act of 1912?
- The right to a formal performance appraisal system.
- The right to paid parental leave for 12 weeks.
- The right to telework at least two days per pay period.
- The right to petition or furnish information to Congress and to join a union. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The right to petition or furnish information to Congress and to join a union.
The Lloyd-La Follette Act of 1912 was a critical early piece of civil service legislation that affirmed the right of federal employees to communicate directly with Congress without supervisory approval. It also established their right to join employee organizations or unions, provided those unions did not assert the right to strike against the government.
