Wisconsin state workers face new hiring procedure, rules

By: Associated Press//June 24, 2016//

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By Todd Richmond

Associated Press

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin state employees will face a new world when they show up for work July 1.

An overhaul of the state’s 111-year-old civil service system takes effect take that day. It will leave 30,000 state workers and an untold number of job applicants to face new hiring and firing protocols.

Mandatory pre-hiring examinations will be a thing of the past. So will bumping rights, which protect senior employees from layoffs.

Probation periods will be longer, just cause for disciplinary actions will be clearly defined and layoff decisions will be based on performance rather than seniority.

Supporters insist the changes enable state agencies to fill retirees’ positions quickly and impose proper discipline.

Democrats and other critics say Republicans are trading a clean, fair employment system for political patronage and cronyism.

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