Final answer:
A base pay system that pays employees equally regardless of seniority or performance is not a merit system. A merit system rewards based on skills, performance, and abilities, unlike a flat-rate pay system which offers the same pay to all employees doing the same job.
Step-by-step explanation:
The base pay system that pays every employee performing the same job regardless of seniority or performance is not described by a merit system. Instead, a merit system evaluates and compensates employees based on their performance, skills, and abilities. Under a merit system, employees who demonstrate a higher competency or performance may receive greater pay and benefits. In contrast, a base pay system that pays employees the same regardless of these factors is typically referred to as an equal pay or flat-rate pay system.
A merit system is designed to protect employees from managerial abuse and make the bureaucracy more efficient by ensuring that the most qualified applicants are given positions based on their knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs). This contrasts with a spoils system, where jobs are given based on party loyalty rather than merit.