2022-01 Department of Human Resources Hiring Practices Follow-up

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Prohibited Personnel Hiring Practices Condition and Cause DHR did not have provisions clearly addressing prohibited personnel hiring practices in writing. Effect of the Condition Appearance of, or actual preferential treatment of applicants. Recommendation 7 "We recommend the Department of Human Resources develop and implement written policies and procedures clearly defining prohibited personnel hiring practices." Department Action To meet this recommendation, DHR asserted their rules, policies, and procedures conform to Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 76 Civil Service Laws including the merit principle, providing: • Equal opportunity is in accordance with all laws prohibited discrimination. No person shall be discriminated against in examination, appointment, reinstatement, reemployment, promotion, transfer, demotion, or removal, with respect to any position when the work may be efficiently performed by the person without hazard or danger to the health and safety of the person or others. • Impartial selection of individuals for public service by means of competitive tests which are fair, objective, and practical. DHR also said lawful and unlawful employment practices are covered in various written procedures conforming with the merit principle in various training they provided. In October 2018, DHR developed, adopted, and circulated "Human Resources Best Practices" as a foundation of their actions and decisions. It describes the best practice they strive to maintain the core values of the merit system which the County's personnel system is based on in accordance with state law. (Attachments 1.2 — 1.4) DHR oversees departments and agencies compliance with: • Continuous recruitment request requirements. • Employee training requirements to ensure hiring practices are fair, impartial, and relevant to the position. • Interview and selection procedures. • Audit of Interview Packets Memorandum No. 018-078. • Filling Civil Service Positions procedures. • HRS X76-1: selection of persons based on their fitness and ability for public employment. Status of Recommendations 1 14