There are nine basic standards of the Merit System Principles which are part of the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, and can be found at 5 U.S.C. § 2301(b). These principles govern the management of the executive branch federal workforce.
There are twelve prohibited personnel practices which are defined by law at § 2302(b) of title 5 of the United States Code (U.S.C.). A personnel action" (defined in 5 U.S.C. § 2302(a)(2(A) to include appointments, promotions, reassignments, disciplinary actions, and other personnel matters) may need to be involved for a prohibited personnel practice to occur.