The provisions of this Subtitle shall be broadly construed and applied to promote its underlying purposes and policies. The underlying purposes and policies of this Subtitle are: To effectuate the mandate set forth in Sections 901 and 904 of Article IX of County Charter so as to provide by law for a County personnel system governing the appointment and removal of employees, and other personnel policies and procedures for employees in the County government, said policies and procedures to govern but not be limited to: classification and pay plans including the allocation of positions; the construction, maintenance, and expiration of eligibility lists; certification and appointment procedures; probationary requirements; promotion, transfer, and separation procedures; disciplinary procedures; career development plans; and special rules relating to the police and fire services; and, To insure that said personnel system is administered and maintained in a manner consistent with the following principles: That all human resources actions, including the appointment and promotion of employees, are based upon the merit and fitness procedures as set forth in this Subtitle; That all employees and applicants for employment shall receive fair and equitable treatment in all aspects of human resources administration, including an expeditious resolution of their grievances and appeals, without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, color, religion, creed, country of national origin, political opinion, marital status, age, physical or mental handicap, physical appearance, or membership or nonmembership in a labor organization insofar as the aforesaid parties' employment rights are protected with respect to the foregoing characteristics in accordance with the provisions of this Subtitle; That the same grade, the same qualification requirements, and substantially the same salary ranges be established and maintained for all employees occupying positions within the same class of work; That appointing authorities are able to effectively and efficiently implement the missions and objectives of their agencies or departments by clarifying the rights and responsibilities of such appointing authorities to assign and direct the work of employees, to discipline employees, and to adjust their grievances; That appointing authorities retain employees on the basis of the adequacy of their performance and conduct, attempt to correct inadequate employee performance or misconduct, and discipline employees whose inadequate performance or misconduct cannot be corrected or condoned; and, That the provisions of this Subtitle shall be presumed to be County-wide in nature and, as such, shall be uniform in their application to all employees so as to insure that all employees are guaranteed certain basic rights and benefits and that the personnel system established by this Subtitle is susceptible to proper manageability, stability and accountability as dictated by the public interest, except as specifically provided otherwise under the provisions of this Subtitle.