File an appeal with the Civil Service Commission

The Civil Service Commission is now accepting appeals using an online portal. This method of filing is the most efficient way of submitting your appeal. Click the link in the button above to file your appeal online.

For more detailed information about the appeals process, please visit our Learn about the Civil Service Commission appeals process webpage.

If you are unable to file your appeal using the online portal, the CSC is accepting the following alternative filing methods:

By mail:

1. Complete and print out the appropriate civil service appeal form.
2. Attach any relevant information, documents (i.e. -decision of appointing authority) and the appropriate fee. Fees are payable by check or money order made payable to the Civil Service Commission.
   If you don’t include the appropriate fee (or waiver form), your appeal will be returned to you without being docketed.
   The CSC may waive the filing fee for certain Appellants. Print out and complete a waiver application if you believe you are eligible for a fee waiver.
3. Make 2 copies of your documents.
4. Mail the original copy to:
   Civil Service Commission
   100 Cambridge Street, Suite 200
   Boston, MA, 02114
5. Mail 1 copy to the Respondent.
6. Keep 1 copy for your own records.

In person:

APPEALS MAY BE FILED IN PERSON AT THE OFFICES OF THE COMMISSION DURING PUBLIC WALK-IN HOURS ON TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY FROM 10:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. or OTHER TIMES BY APPOINTMENT. 

1. Complete and print out the appropriate civil service appeal form.
2. Attach any relevant information, documents (i.e. -decision of appointing authority) and the appropriate fee. Fees are payable by check or money order made payable to the Civil Service Commission.
   If you don’t include the appropriate fee (or waiver form), your appeal will be returned to you without being docketed.
   The CSC may waive the filing fee for certain Appellants. Print out and complete a waiver application if you believe you are eligible for a fee waiver.
3. Make 2 copies of your documents.
4. Hand deliver the original copy to:
   Civil Service Commission
   100 Cambridge Street, Suite 200
   Boston, MA, 02114
5. Mail 1 copy to the Respondent.
6. Keep 1 copy for your own records.

By E-mail:

1. Complete and print out the appropriate civil service appeal form.
2. Attach any relevant information, documents (i.e. -decision of appointing authority).
3. After filling out the appeal form, you may save the completed appeal form and then email it as an attachment to cscappeals@mass.gov. 
4. To accommodate the filing of appeal via email, the required filing fee is not due at the time of filing for appeals filed via email.  Appeals will be docketed without the required filing fee and Appellants will have 30 days from the date of filing the appeal to mail the required filing fee to the Civil Service Commission at:  Civil Service Commission; 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 200
   Boston, MA, 02114 
5. Mail 1 copy to the Respondent.
6. Keep 1 copy for your own records.

Note:  There are no appeal forms regarding investigation requests and performance evaluation appeals.  Those requests/appeals can be made by mailing a letter to the Commission, with the appropriate fee attached, providing your name, address, phone number and email address, along with a description of your request for investigation or reason for contesting your performance evaluation.

Appeal deadlines

Deadlines for filing an appeal with the Civil Service Commission are as follows:

• Discipline / Layoff appeals:  Within ten (10) business days of receiving the notice of the decision by the Respondent.
• Bypass appeals:  Within sixty (60) calendar days of receiving the notification of bypass.
• Classification appeals:  Within thirty (30) calendar days of receiving a denial letter from the state's Human Resources Division (HRD).
• Examination appeals:  Within seventeen (17) calendar days after the date of mailing of the decision by HRD.
• Non-Bypass equity appeals: Within thirty (30) days from the date that the Agency (i.e. - HRD) notice of action is sent to you.
• Performance evaluation appeals:  Within ten (10) days of receipt of decision by the Appointing Authority's review panel.

Filing fees

The following are the filing fees by type of appeal: