Executive Order protects workers from political pressure, prohibits campaign activities
SPRINGFIELD — Delivering on a promise of government reform, state Treasurer Michael Frerichs today issued an executive order protecting government employees from being pressured into doing campaign work and banning employees from contributing to his campaign. The order calls for the creation of an Employee Bill of Rights that ensures a professional work environment void of partisan political activity.
The effort is designed to restore the public’s faith in the integrity of governmental decisions and reassure current employees that decisions will be based on merit. The new bill of rights will also set clear expectations, including a ban on campaign activity while at work. Additionally, it bans campaign donations by employees to campaign committees whose purpose is to promote the candidacy of Treasurer Frerichs.
“Actions speak louder than words. We will work every day to restore people’s faith in government,” Treasurer Frerichs said. “Transparency, efficiency, and accountability must be at the heart of every decision we make.”
Executive Order 15-01 calls for the new bill of rights to be completed by Jan. 31, 2015. The order empowers the treasurer’s inspector general to pursue allegations of violations, with penalties up to and including termination of employment.
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