2017-03 Performance Audit Report: County of Hawai'i's Department of Human Resources Hiring Practices

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Audit Results The County's hiring practices did not ensure equitable, uniform, and transparent selection of candidates which may have resulted in non-compliance with applicable laws, rules, regulations and County policies and procedures. Both state law and best practices require that hiring practices ensure that each applicant has a fair and equitable chance at employment opportunities. Specifically, Hawai "i state law requires each jurisdiction to establish, maintain, and administer a civil service system based on the merit principle. The merit principle requires "equal opportunity for all in compliance with all laws prohibiting discrimination "7, as well as impartial selection of potential employees by means of competitive tests that are fair, objective, and practical. State law also gives the Department of Human Resources (DHR) the authority and responsibility to ensure that the County of Hawai"i upholds and complies with all merit principle laws, rules, and regulations. In addition, the United States Code (considered a best practice, not a legal requirement) states that "(1) [r]ecruitment should be of qualified individuals from appropriate sources in an endeavor to achieve a work force from all segments of society, and selection and advancement should be determined solely on the basis of relative ability, knowledge, and skills, after fair and open competition which assures that all receive equal opportunity; and (2) All employees and applicants for employment should receive fair and equitable treatment in all aspects of personnel management without regard to political affiliation, race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age, or handicapping condition..." 8 The County of HawaiTs Department of Human Resources (DHR), through its Director, has the responsibility and authority to administer the civil service system. Our audit evaluated whether hiring practices currently in place were effective in ensuring equitable, uniform, and transparent selection of candidates and ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, County policies and procedures and best practices. We found numerous questionable hiring practices including how applicants were identified to be interviewed, how applicants were assessed, and how departments were using DHR's referred list of eligible applicants. 7 Hawaii Revised Statute § 76-1 8 United States Code, Title 5, Part III, Subpart A, Chapter 23, § 2301 Audit Results 10 1 P a g e