They were criticized for being automatic and for failing to differentiate employee rewards based upon performance. These shortcomings led to a search for alternatives that resulted in the merit pay provisions of the federal Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 and similar reforms in a variety of states and localities (Perry, 1986)
After the War, a great debate took place on the relative merits of spoils and a merit system. The supporters of the former believed that spoils were imperative to the health of political parties; therefore democracy and that benefaction guaranteed loyalty and responsibility (Shepherd, 2003)
" (1999) During the later part of the nineteenth century a reform movement in the civil service system focused on promotion of "an ethical public service by pushing for the implementation of merit system for public employment." (Kellough, 1999) Reform was critically needed during this era in order to ensure that corruption didn't thrive in the civil service system
Personnel management is independent of each other within the office. For instance, the office is poised at providing national security through its different stakeholders (Office of the Secretary of Defense, 2010)