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Civil Service Code Inside English.ai

Civil Service values
4. This Code3 sets out the standards of behaviour expected
• accept gifts or hospitality or receive other benefits from
of you and all other civil servants. These are based on the
anyone which might reasonably be seen to compromise
1. The Civil Service is an integral and key part of the
core values. Individual departments may also have their own
your personal judgement or integrity; or
government of the United Kingdom1. It supports the
separate mission and values statements based on the core
Government of the day in developing and implementing its
values, including the standards of behaviour expected of you
• disclose official information without authority. This duty
policies, and in delivering public services. Civil servants are
when you deal with your colleagues.
continues to apply after you leave the Civil Service.
accountable to Ministers, who in turn are accountable to
Parliament2.
Honesty
Standards of behaviour
2. As a civil servant, you are appointed on merit on the basis
7. You must:
of fair and open competition and are expected to carry out
Integrity
• set out the facts and relevant issues truthfully, and
your role with dedication and a commitment to the Civil
correct any errors as soon as possible; and
Service and its core values: integrity, honesty, objectivity and
5. You must:
impartiality. In this Code:
• fulfil your duties and obligations responsibly;
• use resources only for the authorised public purposes for
which they are provided.
• always act in a way that is professional4 and that
deserves and retains the confidence of all those with
8. You must not:
• ‘integrity’ is putting the obligations of public service
whom you have dealings;
above your own personal interests;
• deceive or knowingly mislead Ministers, Parliament or
others; or
• make sure public money and other resources are used
• ‘honesty’ is being truthful and open;
properly and efficiently;
• be influenced by improper pressures from others or the
• ‘objectivity’ is basing your advice and decisions on
prospect of personal gain.
• deal with the public and their affairs fairly, efficiently,
rigorous analysis of the evidence; and
promptly, effectively and sensitively, to the best of your
Objectivity
ability;
• ‘impartiality’ is acting solely according to the merits of
the case and serving equally well Governments of
9. You must:
• handle information as openly as possible within the legal
different political persuasions.
framework; and
• provide information and advice, including advice to
Ministers, on the basis of the evidence, and accurately
• comply with the law and uphold the administration of
present the options and facts;
justice.
3. These core values support good government and ensure
the achievement of the highest possible standards in all that
• take decisions on the merits of the case; and
6. You must not:
the Civil Service does. This in turn helps the Civil Service to
gain and retain the respect of Ministers, Parliament, the
• misuse your official position, for example by using
• take due account of expert and professional advice.
public and its customers.
information acquired in the course of your official duties
to further your private interests or those of others;
10. You must not:
• ignore inconvenient facts or relevant considerations
when providing advice or making decisions; or
1
3
This Code applies to all Home civil servants. Those working in the Scottish Executive and
The respective responsibilities placed on Ministers and special advisers in relation to
• frustrate the implementation of policies once decisions
the National Assembly for Wales, and their Agencies, have their own versions of the
the Civil Service are set out in their Codes of Conduct:
are taken by declining to take, or abstaining from, action
Code. Similar Codes apply to the Northern Ireland Civil Service and the Diplomatic
www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/propriety_and_ethics.
which flows from those decisions.
Service.
4Including taking account of ethical standards governing particular professions.
2Constitutionally, civil servants are servants of the Crown. The Crown's executive powers
are exercised by the Government.
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Impartiality
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11. You must:
16. If you have a concern, you should start by talking to
your line manager or someone else in your line management
impartiality objectivity integrity honesty impartiality
• carry out your responsibilities in a way that is fair, just and
chain. If for any reason you would find this difficult, you
equitable and reflects the Civil Service commitment to
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should raise the matter with your department’s nominated
equality and diversity.
officers who have been appointed to advise staff on the
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Code.
12. You must not:
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• act in a way that unjustifiably favours or discriminates
17. If you become aware of actions by others which you
against particular individuals or interests.
believe conflict with this Code you should report this to your
impartiality objectivity integrity impartiality objectiv
line manager or someone else in your line management
integrity impartiality objectivity integrity impartiality
Political Impartiality
chain; alternatively you may wish to seek advice from your
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nominated officer. You should report evidence of criminal or
13. You must:
unlawful activity to the police or other appropriate
honesty impartiality objectivity integrity honesty ob
authorities.
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• serve the Government, whatever its political persuasion,
to the best of your ability in a way which maintains
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integrity
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18. If you have raised a matter covered in paragraphs 15 to
political impartiality and is in line with the requirements
17, in accordance with the relevant procedures5, and do not
impartiality objectivity integrity impartiality objectiv
of this Code, no matter what your own political beliefs
receive what you consider to be a reasonable response, you
integrity impartiality objectivity integrity impartiality
are;
may report the matter to the Civil Service Commissioners6.
The Commissioners will also consider taking a complaint
objectivity integrity impartiality objectivity integrity
• act in a way which deserves and retains the confidence of
direct. Their address is:
honesty impartiality objectivity honesty impartiality
Ministers, while at the same time ensuring that you will
be able to establish the same relationship with those
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3rd Floor, 35 Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3BQ.
whom you may be required to serve in some future
Tel: 020 7276 2613
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Government; and
email: ocsc@civilservicecommissioners.gov.uk
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• comply with any restrictions that have been laid down on
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If the matter cannot be resolved using the procedures set out
your political activities.
above, and you feel you cannot carry out the instructions
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you have been given, you will have to resign from the Civil
14. You must not:
impartiality objectivity integrity impar
honesty
tiality
Service.
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• act in a way that is determined by party political
19. This Code is part of the contractual relationship
considerations, or use official resources for party political
honesty objectivity integrity impartiality objectivity h
between you and your employer. It sets out the high
purposes; or
o
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standards of behaviour expected of you which follow from
your position in public and national life as a civil servant. You
impartiality objectivity honesty impartiality objectivi
• allow your personal political views to determine any
can take pride in living up to these values.
advice you give or your actions.
June 2006
Rights and responsibilities
15. Your department or agency has a duty to make you
aware of this Code and its values. If you believe that you are
5The whistleblowing legislation (the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998) may also apply in
being required to act in a way which conflicts with this Code,
some circumstances. The Directory of Civil Service Guidance gives more information:
your department or agency must consider your concern, and
www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/propriety_and_ethics.
C O D E
make sure that you are not penalised for raising it.
6The Civil Service Commissioners’ Appeals leaflet gives more information:
www.civilservicecommissioners.gov.uk. This Code does not cover HR management issues.