I currently work in the general schedule (GS) government system. Depending on who you ask some people would say the system is unfair because the merit promotion system doesn't produce the best candidate. According to a survey conducted by MSPB, "Only 45 percent of employees in one survey believed that supervisors promote the best-qualified candidates, and a significant portion of supervisors said the process does not help them pick the best person for the job"(Employees also believe promotions are based more on favoritism instead of applicant potential, Almost half of the people surveyed believed they had been passed over for a promotion because of the merit promotion process. In my agency/office people are promoted based on potential and experience
