Slide 1

Discretion and Independent Judgment

•The comparison and evaluation of possible courses of conduct, and acting or making a decision after the various possibilities have been considered

•Must be exercised with respect to “matters of significance,” which refers to the level of importance or consequence of the work performed

•Decisions and recommendations may be reviewed at a higher level and, upon occasion, revised or reversed

Exercising “discretion and independent judgment” generally involves an employee comparing and evaluating possible courses of conduct, and acting or making a decision after the various possibilities have been considered. The term “matters of significance” refers to the level of importance or consequence of the work performed. In determining whether or not an employee exercises discretion and independent judgment, all the facts involved in the particular employment situation must be considered. The term implies that the employee has authority to make an independent choice, free from immediate direction or supervision. However, employees can exercise discretion and independent judgment even if their decisions or recommendations are reviewed, and occasionally reversed, at a higher level.