Legal Definitions - pleasure appointment

A pleasure appointment refers to a type of employment, typically in the public sector, where an individual serves entirely at the discretion of the appointing authority. This means the person holding the position can be removed from their role at any time, without the need for advance notice, a stated reason for termination, or a formal hearing process. The continuation of the employment is solely dependent on the "pleasure" or will of the individual or entity that made the appointment.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Example 1: Political Cabinet Member

  Imagine a newly elected President who appoints a Secretary of State to lead the country's foreign policy. This Secretary of State holds a pleasure appointment. If the President decides, at any point, that they want a different individual in that role—perhaps due to a policy disagreement or a desire for a fresh perspective—they can remove the Secretary of State immediately. There is no legal requirement for the President to provide a reason, give advance notice, or conduct a formal hearing before making such a change.

• Example 2: City Department Head

  Consider a mayor of a large city who appoints a new Director of Public Works. This director's position is often a pleasure appointment. If the mayor's priorities for city infrastructure shift, or if they simply lose confidence in the director's leadership, the mayor can terminate the director's employment without needing to demonstrate "cause," provide a specific period of notice, or go through a disciplinary hearing process. The director serves as long as it is the mayor's "pleasure."

• Example 3: Special Advisor to an Agency

  A federal agency head might appoint a special advisor to provide expert guidance on a particular, time-sensitive project. This advisor's role would typically be a pleasure appointment. If the project concludes, the agency head's needs change, or they simply decide to move in a different direction, they can end the advisor's engagement without any formal termination procedures, as the position exists at the will of the appointing authority.