Wisconsin Assembly Bill AB909

Wisconsin 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/4/24
• Refer: 1/4/24
• Failed: 4/15/24

Caption

The state civil service system. (FE)

Impact

This new legislation is poised to transform several aspects of state employment practices. For instance, the general timeline for making appointments has shifted from 30 to 60 days, while the probationary period for new hires has been reduced from one year to six months. Such measures aim to facilitate quicker employment processes and provide more opportunities for qualified candidates. However, critics have raised alarm over the sweeping changes to disciplinary standards, which now allow adverse employment actions to occur predominantly only for just cause. This development could deter lesser disciplinary practices and protect employees from arbitrary actions.

Summary

Assembly Bill 909 introduces significant revisions to the state civil service system, fundamentally altering hiring procedures, employee rights, and disciplinary measures. The bill mandates that appointments and promotions within the classified service are based strictly on merit and fitness, which must be determined by competitive examinations. Additionally, it establishes a preference system for veterans and their spouses, offering them points during certification processes. Notably, the requirement for appointing authorities to review a candidate's previous personnel files prior to employment offers has been repealed, potentially streamlining hiring but raising concerns regarding transparency.

Contention

A point of contention regarding AB909 involves the shifts in disciplinary standards and the evaluation of performance. Critics argue that while the focus on merit is laudable, the elimination of prior requirements for progressive discipline may lead to hasty decision-making regarding employee dismissals. This concern is echoed in the new stipulations for layoffs, which now grant appointing authorities broader discretion to base layoffs on performance and seniority rather than solely on job-related factors. Stakeholders worry these changes might disproportionately affect newer employees and undermine job security for many individuals in the civil service sector.