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Review of the City’s Personnel Reclassification System

July 18, 2012

Summary

The City of Chicago Office of Inspector General (IGO) has completed a review of the position title reclassification process administered by the Department of Human Resources (DHR) , detailed in the City of Chicago Personnel Rules 1 and 26 (Reclassification Rules).

Executive Summary

The City of Chicago Office of Inspector General (IGO) has completed a review of the position title reclassification process administered by the Department of Human Resources (DHR) , detailed in the City of Chicago Personnel Rules 1 and 26 (Reclassification Rules).

The City’s reclassification system is meant to ensure that employment positions are allocated to class titles that adequately describe the duties and responsibilities that are actually performed, and that pay and benefits are commensurate with that work. When functioning properly, the reclassification system acts as a safeguard against abuses and excesses that develop within the City’s employment and compensation systems. However, there are deficiencies in the system inhibiting the City’s realization of the full benefits of a successful and compliant reclassification process.

The IGO review identifies the deficiencies in the Reclassification Rules that inhibit its effectiveness, transparency and accountability. Most notably, we identify that the Reclassification Rules do not indicate whether departments are obligated to follow or even respond to reclassification recommendations, and that the Reclassification Rules are silent as to who is responsible for enforcing reclassification recommendations. Against the backdrop of those operational deficiencies, our review identified a pattern in which City Departments, without explanation or consequence, tend to disregard or ignore the recommendations of DHR developed on the basis of neutral, objective criteria and analysis that positions be downgraded and pay commensurately reduced.

The lack of accountability and enforcement capacity currently present in the reclassification system impedes the IGO’s ability to assess and ensure compliance with the Reclassification Rules, the City’s General Hiring Plan, the Shakman Accord, and to assure taxpayer money expended on personnel costs is proportionate to services rendered.

To address these deficiencies, we recommend DHR consider revising the Personnel Rules to require department heads to provide a documented explanation of reason(s) for requesting a position audit and to require department heads to report to DHR within a specified period their final action on reclassification recommendations and provide a written justification for deviating from the recommendation.

In response to the IGO’s report, DHR Commissioner Soo Choi agreed with the IGO’s recommendations and noted that DHR has started a review of current procedures used in the reclassification process. The Commissioner noted that while formal revision to the Personnel Rules may take some time, she has “no doubt that we can quickly begin to implement either your specific recommendations or equivalent changes that fully achieve the spirit of your recommendations in the interim.”

Review of the City’s Personnel Reclassification System - publication cover