Learn about Civil Service Commission inspections and audits

At the Civil Service Commission, our job is to make sure that the City’s merit system is working. We want departments to evaluate workers on their skill and performance. 

If we find out that a department may not be following the merit system, we investigate. When we’re done, we come up with a solution.

Anyone can ask for an investigation

We get requests from:

• People who applied for jobs
• Employees
• Unions and other employee organization representatives
• Advocates
• Members of the public

You can request an investigation without telling us your name (anonymously). 

We may also start an investigation without a request. This happens when we learn about a possible problem in some other way.

Types of investigations

We look into all sorts of issues related to the City’s merit system. For example, we may check how a department:

• Makes sure applicants are qualified
• Creates lists of eligible job candidates
• Hires, promotes, transfers, reassigns, reinstates, or reappoints workers 
• Lays off workers 
• Classifies workers and their rights based on their status
• Fills job positions that are exempt, temporary, provisional, part-time, seasonal or permanent 
• Handles seniority, resignations, and probationary periods

During the investigation

All City and County departments are required to cooperate with us. When we investigate, we may:

• Review records and procedures 
• Interview staff and other people
• Hold public hearings
• Make people speak to us in court (subpoena witnesses)
• Make departments and staff turn over evidence

Some investigations take a few months. Others may take years. 

After the investigation

At the end of the investigation, we make a conclusion and take action. The results vary depending on the case. We may require:

• Counseling for employees about how to follow procedures 
• Creating guidance to help people follow merit system polices
• Other actions to solve problems in the department