Opinion ID: 1728896
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Classified Employees: An Overview of Civil Service

Text: The civil service provisions in the state constitution and the rules of the Civil Service Commission are designed to protect public career employees from political discrimination by eliminating the spoils system. Bannister v. Department of Streets, 95-0404 (La.1/16/96), 666 So.2d 641, 645. A person who has gained permanent status in the classified State Civil Service may be subject to disciplinary action for legal cause [7] expressed by the appointing authority in writing, if the conduct complained of includes conduct prejudicial or detrimental to the efficient and orderly operation of the public service in which the employee is engaged. LA. CONST. art. X, § 8(A). [8] The Civil Service Commission has the exclusive power and authority to hear and decide all state civil service disciplinary cases. LA. CONST. art. X, § 12(A). [9] The duty of the Civil Service Commission is to independently decide from the facts presented whether the appointing authority has good or lawful cause for taking disciplinary action and, if so, whether the punishment imposed is commensurate with the dereliction. See Department of Public Safety & Corrections, Office of State Police v. Mensman, 95-1950 (La.4/8/96), 671 So.2d 319, 321. [10] The Civil Service Commission is vested with broad and general rulemaking and subpoena powers for the administration and regulation of the classified service, including the power to adopt rules for regulating employment, promotion, demotion, suspension, reduction in pay, removal, certification, qualifications, political activities, employment conditions, compensation and disbursements to employees, and other personnel matters and transactions. LA. CONST. art. X, § 10(A)(1). Pursuant to its rule making authority, the Civil Service Commission defines cause for termination as conduct which impairs the efficient or orderly operation of the public service. Civil Service Rule 1.5.2.01.