Human Capital Management
Hiring Toolkit


Merit System Principles

The Merit System Principles provide the "do's" of good HR management. They:

  • Form the foundation for the entire Federal Human Resource Management (HRM) system.
  • Express the values that govern the Civil Service system and set appropriate parameters for the exercise of HRM authority.
  • Provide sound management practices based on common sense that ensure Federal employees are treated fairly and equitably and that the Federal HRM system is based on merit.

Under Title 5 U.S.C. 2301 (b), Federal personnel management should be implemented consistent with the following Merit System Principles:

  1. Recruit, select, and advance qualified individuals on the basis of merit after fair and open competition to achieve a workforce from all segments of society.
  2. Treat employees and applicants fairly and equitably.
  3. Provide equal pay for equal work; reward excellence in performance.
  4. Maintain high standards of integrity, conduct, and concern for the public interest.
  5. Manage the Federal workforce efficiently and effectively.
  6. Retain employees based on their adequacy or performance; inadequate performance should be corrected, and employees should be separated who cannot or will not improve their performance to meet required standards.
  7. Educate and train employees to achieve better organizational and individual performance.
  8. Provide employees political protection, including:
    1. Protection against arbitrary action, personal favoritism, or coercion for partisan political purposes, and
    2. Prohibitions in place to prevent supervisors from using their official authority or influence for the purpose of interfering with or affecting the result of an election or a nomination for election.
  9. Protect employees against reprisal for the lawful disclosure of information which the employees reasonably believe evidences:
    1. A violation of any law, rule, or regulation, or
    2. Mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety.

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