Proposed Revisions to Civil Service
Rules and Regulations
City Council RTC #25-0767
August 26, 2025
2City of Sunnyvale – Proposed CSRR Revisions – August 2025 • Civil Service Rules and Regulations established May 1960 Ensures fair and impartial administration of the civil service Framework for the selection, promotion, and discipline of civil service employees Last revised in 2016
• Policies to be clear, comprehensive, and aligned with best practices Streamlined and simplified language
Gender neutral language
Updated based on changes to policy and/or law
• Presented to Personnel Board on May 19, 2025
Background
3City of Sunnyvale – Proposed CSRR Revisions – August 2025 Steps Taken
ELT ReviewHuman Resources
Review
Bargaining
Unit Review
Personnel
Board
• Identify best
practices and
consistency with
policies
• Clarify where
needed
• Meet/Confer • May 19, 2025
• Provided
recommendations
on language
4City of Sunnyvale – Proposed CSRR Revisions – August 2025 Highlighted Changes
CSRR Section Proposed Change
11.03 Classified Service
Added classifications of Assistant City Manager, Deputy City Manager, and Senior Assistant City Attorney as classifications excluded from CSRR
12.03 Reasonable
Accommodation
Updated to reflect best practices; specific details included in City policy
12.05 Employment
of Relatives
Updated nepotism policy to include relatives of Department Director; City will not appoint relative of City Manager, Mayor, or City Councilmember; Applications will not be accepted from City Councilmember or Board/Commissioner within 2 years of term
12.06 Types of
Recruitment
Expanded ability for employees to apply for transfer opportunities
12.07 Solicitation of
Applicants
Updated to reflect advertising strategies (removed reference to bulletin boards) 5City of Sunnyvale – Proposed CSRR Revisions – August 2025 Highlighted Changes (continued)
CSRR Section Proposed Change
13.03 Disqualification of
Applicants
Applicants who apply for the same continuous recruitment shall not be considered if reapplying within three months of last recruitment cycle Include disqualification for violating the City’s policy of Harassment, Discrimination, or Retaliation during the examination process
13.05 Military
Credits
Expand to provide military credit for veterans and for active military members
14.03 Eligible List:
Removal
Any candidate can be removed from the eligible list, including current City employees
14.04 Eligible List:
Certification
Revised language to add clarity
6City of Sunnyvale – Proposed CSRR Revisions – August 2025 Highlighted Changes (continued)
CSRR Section Proposed Change
15.02 Probationary
Appointment
Identified that probationary period will occur when a casual or Term Limited employee is hired into a regular classified position;
Changed probationary period from pay periods to months of service Added detail to how probationary periods may be extended, especially for leaves
16.02 Evaluation
Required
Clarified performance evaluation requirements
7City of Sunnyvale – Proposed CSRR Revisions – August 2025 Highlighted Changes (continued)
CSRR Section Proposed Change
18.01 Reinstatement after
Resignation
Clarified that regular employees who reinstates to a previously held position will not be required to serve a new probationary period
18.02 Reinstatement from
a RIF List
Regular City employees who were part of a Reduction in Force (RIF) will be eligible for consideration for reinstatement for 3 years after layoff (decreased from 5 years) Reinstatement candidates will be given hiring priority over all other applicants
18.03 Reinstatement from
Military Leave
City will follow applicable laws related to reinstatement of employees who are drafted or recalled to military service
8City of Sunnyvale – Proposed CSRR Revisions – August 2025 Highlighted Changes (continued)
CSRR Section Proposed Change
21.03 Classification
Specifications
Identifies the sections for each classification specification, available on the City’s website (i.e., Class Title, Brief Description, Summary of Essential Functions, Statement of education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and other requirements or desirable qualifications)
21.04 Disciplinary
Actions
Added failure to meet or maintain minimum qualifications of the position and Failure to report after a leave of absence has expired or been denied as reasons for discipline
9City of Sunnyvale – Proposed CSRR Revisions – August 2025 Recommendation
Staff & Personnel Board Recommendation(s)
• Alternative 1: Adopt a Resolution Amending the Civil Service Rules and Regulations