§ 709. Prohibitions.

(a)

Discrimination. No person may be appointed or promoted to, or demoted or dismissed from, any position in the classified service, or in any way favored or discriminated against with respect to employment in the classified service because of his or her political or religious opinions or affiliations, race or sex.

(b)

Political endorsements. No person shall seek or attempt to use any political endorsement in connection with any appointment to a position in the classified service.

(c)

Influence. No person may use or promise to use, directly or indirectly, any official authority or influence, whether possessed or anticipated, to secure or attempt to secure for any person an appointment or advantage in appointment to a position in the classified service, or an increase in pay or other advantage in employment in any such position, for the purpose of influencing the vote or political action of any person, or for any consideration. No person, directly or indirectly, shall give, render, pay, offer, solicit or accept any money, service or other valuable consideration for securing or providing any appointment, proposed appointment, promotion or proposed promotion to, or any advantage in, a position in the classified service.

(d)

Political activity. No officer or employee of the county shall be prohibited from participating in politics or political campaigns; however, no officer or employee shall engage in political activity while on the job during working hours; advocate the overthrow of the government by unconstitutional or violent means; or be obligated to contribute to an election campaign, political party or political club, or to render political service.

(e)

Fraud. No person may make any false statement, certificate, mark, rating or report with regard to any test, certification or appointment made under any provision of this Article or in any manner commit or attempt to commit any fraud preventing the impartial execution of this Article and the rules promulgated thereunder.

(f)

Rendering personal services. No officer or employee of the County, elected or appointed, shall detail or cause any officer or employee of the County to do or perform any service or work outside of his or her public office or employment.

(g)

Improper administration. No employee administering the merit system, examiner or other person may defeat, deceive or obstruct any person in his or her right to examination, eligibility, certification or appointment under this Article, or furnish to any person any special or secret information for the purpose of affecting the rights or prospects of any person with respect to employment in the classified service.

Editor's note

An amendment to § 709 proposed by Res. No. 127, 1982 was approved at an election held Nov. 2, 1982, and became effective Dec. 2, 1982. An amendment to subsections (a), (f), and (g) proposed by Res. No. 126, 1996 was approved at an election held Nov. 5, 1996, and became effective Dec. 5, 1996. An amendment to § 709(c) proposed by Res. No. 100, 2012 was approved at an election held on Nov. 6, 2012, and became effective on Dec. 6, 2012.