Vermont saw the beginnings of the civil service system in 1939, when, as a result of increasing dependency on the federal government, the state was required to institute merit principles into its hiring practices. In order to continue receiving federal funds for farm agencies, social security, social welfare, and unemployment insurance, Vermont had to comply with federal requirements. Governor Aiken established the Merit System Council in 1939. By 1940, a comprehensive document of rules and regulations was drawn up to cover four agencies. All state employees were brought under the state merit system in 1950 and the Merit System Council was abolished in 1952.

As an employee of the State of Vermont, you work under a merit system of personnel administration. Under a merit system, people are hired or promoted on the basis of ability rather than patronage.

Merit system principles followed by Vermont state government (see 3 V.S.A. § 312) include:

• Recruiting, selecting, and advancing employees on the basis of their relative ability, knowledge, and skills, including open consideration of qualified applicants for initial appointment;
• Training employees, as needed, to assure high-quality performance;
• Retaining employees on the basis of the adequacy of their performance, correcting inadequate performance, and separating employees whose inadequate performance cannot be corrected;
• Assuring fair treatment of applicants and employees in all aspects of personnel administration without regard to political affiliation, race, color, national origin, sex, or religious creed and with proper regard for their privacy and constitutional rights as citizens; and
• Assuring that employees are protected against coercion for partisan political purposes and are prohibited from using their official position
   

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