NYC General 4

Question 1

Which principle underlies the civil service merit system?

Accepted Answer

Public employment should be based on fitness and ability determined by open competition

Answer

Government jobs should be awarded to campaign contributors

Answer

Seniority alone determines advancement in government service

Answer

Hiring decisions are made solely at the discretion of elected officials

Question 2

A city employee discovers that a colleague is using a city-owned vehicle for personal errands. The most appropriate action is to:

Accepted Answer

Report the misuse to a supervisor or the agency's Inspector General

Answer

Join in using the vehicle for personal use

Answer

Confront the colleague publicly in the workplace

Answer

Do nothing since it does not directly affect the employee's work

Question 3

Under NYC law, which of the following actions by a city employee would most likely constitute 'whistleblower' protected activity?

Accepted Answer

Reporting suspected corruption within the agency to the Department of Investigation

Answer

Discussing salary information with coworkers

Answer

Requesting a schedule accommodation for religious observance

Answer

Taking personal leave for a family emergency

Question 4

If a city employee is subpoenaed to testify in a legal proceeding about official duties, the employee should:

Accepted Answer

Notify the agency's legal counsel and comply with the subpoena

Answer

Ignore the subpoena to protect agency confidentiality

Answer

Testify only if the agency head personally approves each answer

Answer

Refuse to answer any questions without payment

Question 5

An eligible list for a civil service title typically expires after how many years under NYC rules?

Accepted Answer

4 years

Answer

1 year

Answer

2 years

Answer

10 years

Question 6

Which of the following best describes the 'rule of three' in NYC civil service hiring?

Accepted Answer

An agency must select from the top three available candidates on the eligible list

Answer

An agency must interview at least three candidates before making an offer

Answer

A position must be posted for three weeks before an appointment is made

Answer

An employee must receive three warnings before termination

Question 7

A city employee who works in a position designated as 'non-competitive' class was hired without an examination. This is permitted because:

Accepted Answer

The position requires skills that are not readily tested by competitive examination

Answer

The employee donated to the mayor's campaign

Answer

The employee has more than 10 years of prior government experience

Answer

The agency did not have enough time to administer an exam