Personal Favouritism in Staffing and Recruitment within the Federal Public Service

The Public Service Commission (PSC) examined the issue of personal favouritism in staffing and recruitment within the federal public service as part of its responsibilities to safeguard the integrity of staffing in the Public Service.

Background

The PSC began its examination of the issue of personal favouritism in a report released in December 2001. The Thematic Review of Staffing Values: Non-partisanship and Transparency in Public Service Recruitment and Promotions concluded that personal favouritism was a concept poorly understood by public servants.

In October 2005, the PSC issued a second report on this same topic. The Study of Personal Favouritism in Staffing and Recruitment within the Federal Public Service was conducted because of concerns raised by previous audits and investigations that personal favouritism was occurring in the Public Service.

Research

In producing the October 2005 Study, the PSC used evidence collected from previous investigations and audits, as well as research gathered from other formal discussions and focus groups.

(Please note that "Qualitative Research on Bureaucratic Patronage" and "Survey on Bureaucratic Patronage in the Federal Public Service" were conducted by external consultants. The conclusions drawn in these documents may not necessarily relect the opinions of the Public Service Commission.)

• Report on Staffing File Review
  Public Service Commission (October 2005)
• Survey on Bureaucratic Patronage in Federal Public Service
  Ad hoc Research (October 2005)
• Qualitative Research on Bureaucratic Patronage
  Patterson, Langlois Consultants (October 2005)
• Bureaucratic Patronage in the Federal Public Service
  Public Policy Forum Discussion (April 2004)