Labor & Employment Law

Prohibitions against political influence

By Harvey Randall, Esq.

Prohibitions against political influence
Civil Service Law Section 107

Civil Service Law Section 107 sets out prohibitions against certain political activities and efforts to exert improper influence with respect to the appointment or selection to, or removal from, an office or employment subject to the provisions of the Civil Service Law. Section 107 also bars making any inquiry concerning political affiliation as a test of fitness for holding office or employment.

Also prohibited is any public officer or employee using his or her authority or official influence or any promise of influence ?to compel or induce any other officer or employee of the state or any civil division thereof, to pay or promise to pay any political assessment, subscription or contribution.?

Subdivision 5 of Section 107 provides that effective September 22, 2007, complaints alleging a violation of this section by a statewide elected official or a state officer or employee, as defined in Section 73 of the Public Officers Law, may be directed to the Commission on Public Integrity.

Full post as published by New York Public Personnel Law on April 17, 2008 (boomark / email).