There are many civil servants who provide public services in our country. These civil servants are recruited through the annual Public Personnel Selection Examination and then begin their official duties. During their careers, civil servants can advance in grade when they meet certain conditions, moving up to a higher step. While serving, civil servants can rise to the highest grade and also progress within steps during these grade advancements. In this article we will explain what a “step” means for civil servants.
The necessary definitions and the conditions for step advancement are set out in Law No. 657 on Civil Servants. This law explains what a step is and under which circumstances step progression can occur.
A step refers to an increase in duties and obligations within a given grade.
Step progression means an increase in the monthly indicator within the grade the civil servant occupies. This change does not reflect any increase in the importance or responsibilities of the position. Civil servants advance in step when certain conditions are met. Changes in a civil servant’s educational status while in service — such as completing higher education, earning a master’s degree, or obtaining a doctorate — can also affect step progression.
Conditions for Step Progression
Civil servants must meet certain conditions to be eligible for step progression. When these conditions are satisfied, a civil servant becomes entitled to move forward one step. The conditions for step progression are outlined in Law No. 657 concerning civil servants. The main requirements can be summarized as follows:
- The civil servant must have completed at least one year of service in the current step to be eligible for progression.
- There must be additional step levels available within the current grade for the civil servant to advance.
Civil servants who have earned the right to a step increase are moved to the next step automatically as of the date they gained that entitlement, without further action required. The authority that approves step progression is the appointing supervisor with delegation power. These officials may delegate their step progression authorities. Individuals who are not eligible to receive a step increase are identified through monthly collective approvals conducted by their institutions. If someone receives a step increase but is later found to be ineligible, that right is rescinded.
Exceptional Cases in Step Progression
There are exceptional situations regarding step progression for civil servants. Those who meet these exceptional conditions may progress in step without some of the usual requirements. In some cases, the one-year minimum service in the current step is not required. Civil servants who have not received any disciplinary penalties during the last eight years of their service are eligible for step progression. Additionally, civil servants who are compulsorily assigned to continuous duties and who serve in areas designated as top-priority for development receive a step progression for every two years worked in those regions.
Step Progression for Probationary Civil Servants
As is known, civil servants start their careers as probationary (candidate) civil servants. Step progression can apply to probationary staff as well. Candidate civil servants receive the step allowance corresponding to the grade they will enter, but they do not have the right to further step progression until they become permanent civil servants.
Salary Payment and Step Progression
Step progression can lead to increased pay for civil servants. In other words, step advancement positively affects a civil servant’s salary. The salary increase due to step progression is paid starting from the first pay period following the month in which the progression takes effect.
Step progression does not affect a civil servant’s retirement or leave entitlement. There is an important distinction between grade advancement and step progression: grade advancement involves moving to a higher position or rank, while step progression is a process that positively impacts pay without changing the position’s responsibilities.