Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-04-01
FITNESS FOR PROMOTION
PROPOSED EXAMINATIONS IN
DEPARTMENTS.
Regulations Being Considered by the
Civil Service Com
mission.

The civil service commission is consider
ing the advisability of adopting promotion
regulations for its own employees in the
clerical grades.
Some criticisms have been made of the
proposed tests of fitness, based upon
erroneous impression as to their nature.
Upon inquiry at the commission 1t was as
eertained that the regulations provide that
the efficiency of employees shall be the chief
factor In determining relative fitness for
pr emotions, combined with practical tests
and questions. The following, 1t Is under
Stood are the subjects and weights of the
proposed tests for promotion, each Of which
Is to be rated on bisis of 100 per cent:
Subjects Weights,
Quality Of work . ...,..::.. a5
Quantity OF work. ......-. rs
Seniority or length Of service. 5
2 Special educational aualI6ca lions. ......... 8
g. Practical questions in office work, general
U ana special L.. 10
a. ritlng report OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. ~
o. Arithmetic .'....'............. 10
Total. 100
The tests in the last three subjects will
be in writing 1t Is understood, however
that they will not be compulsory, but any
employee who fails to attain an average per-
centage of 70 on his efficiency record for
one year shall be reduced in rank or may
in the discretion of the commission be sep
arated from the service.
Rating for Quality of Work.
The rating for quality of work is in
tended to indicate the accuracy, skill,
promptness, penmanship, neatness and in
telligence with which the work is per-
formed, as compared with the standard.
The rating for quantity of work is In
tended to indicate the amount of work &C
tually performed, as compared with the
standard.
The rating for adaptability is to be de-
termbfned by the aptitude Of employees and
the extent to which they have been found
useful on different kinds of work.
A light weight Is given to length of SER
wise. This is to be rated on the basis of 100
per cent for twenty more years. and
proportionate rating for less than twenty
years employment in the public service.
a hght weight Is also given for special
educational qualifications for the work of
the commission. but no credit will be given
for qualifications which cannot be utilized
in the work
1t will be seen that 80 per cent of the
tests of fitness that is, the weights given
to efficiency, practical questions and spe-
cial educational qualifications, relate d.
rectly to the efficiency Of employees, while
the other 20 per cent, including the tests
In writing report and in arithmetic, also
bear on the qualifications Of employees for
the work of the commission
Cause for Deductions.
The regulations provide for specific de-
auctions for improper office habits in the
matter Of punctuality, application and con-
duct
Excessive absence of employees is also to
be considered under the regulations. which
provide for deduction of one-tenth of /
per cent for each day Of absence in excess
of the time allowed by law for annual
leave. In computing this excess absence
the record of the employee for the three
years preceding the report efficiency is
to be considered.
Special consideration is also given to the
character or Importance OF work upon
which employees are engaged. and a credit
not to exceed per cent Is allowed accord
ing to the value of the employees work.
The efficiency records are required to be
open to the inspection Of employees. and If
an employe questions his efficiency rating
he may appeal in writing to the board OF
promotion. II the board does not sustain
the chief Of the division a full report OF
the case is to be filed with the commission
for its decision.
The proposed regulations require that
when vacancy occurs in any class except
the lowest the board of promotion shall
certify to the commission for promotion the
highest eligible in the class next below that
in which the vacancy exists, which eligible
shall be promoted.
Alleged Injustice
Many complaints have been made in re-
gard to alleged unjust promotions and the
need is felt Of adopting suitable regula-
lions throughout the service which will
avoid the criticisms that promotions often
result from favorttism or influence Sec
ton of the civil service act requires that
no person shall be promoted until he has
passed an examination or Is shown to be
specially exempt in accordance with the
act. An examination into the relative eff
cheney of employees, as shown by their
CyIot ftlrf hav tta.J
may be deemed necessary, constitute a
suitable examination within the meaning
of the law.
1t Is understood that the proposed promo
ton regulations will not receive final con-
sideration until the arrival of Commission
er Garfield.