essential skills for public servants-3 ethical behaviour and morality

8/22/2019 Essential Skills for Public Servants-3 Ethical Behaviour and Morality

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Shahid Hussain RajaIndependent Consultant-Public Policy

www.sanoconsultants.co.uk


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Introduction

What is morality

What are ethics

Why need them

What they entail

Conclusion


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Ethics and morality are two interdependent but distinct

concepts at conceptual as well as at practical levels

They are the basic foundations of any individual, anorganization or a civilization for survival and growth.

Greek character is destiny aptly describes thisfundamental truth

If you cannot stand for something, you will fall for anything


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Personal norms and values about good and bad, your

beliefs about fundamentals

Your own behaviour and the one you expect fromothers

Product of your life experience, knowledge andtraining

Can differ from person to person even in one social

setup

However there are certain moral values which areuniversal


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Norms and values of an organization, normallyformalised in the shape of codes

Expected conduct and behaviour of the membersof that group

Can differ from personal moral values but notsubstantially from universal morality in case ofethical organizations

Up to a certain level, ethics and morality are thesame-honesty, integrity, transparency, fair playare the universal norms


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It is the highest value which distinguishes humans

from animals, a basic denominator not the highestpedestal.

It is also a legal requirement -you signed an affidavitto remain honest throughout your career.

It is also a social obligation-society expects highestmoral standards from its paid servants.

It is constitutional duty- you took an oath under a

constitution and all the service framework is basedon constitutional provisions, underpinning ethicalbehaviour


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1.Ethical standards for public service should be clear

2.Ethical standards should be reflected in the legalframework

3.Ethical guidance should be available to public servants

4.Public servants should know their rights andobligations when exposing wrongdoing

5.Political commitment to ethics should reinforce theethical conduct of public servants

6.Decision making process should be transparent andopen to scrutiny


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7.There should be clear guidelines for interaction between the public

and private sectors

8.Managers should demonstrate and promote ethical conduct

9.managemen policies,procedures and practices should promoteethical conduct

10.public service conditions and management of human resourcesshould promote ethical conduct

11.adequate accountability mechanisms should be in place within thepublic service

12.approprite procedures and sanctions should exist to deal withmisconduct

(OECD Guidelines for Public Service )


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Giving best of you

Ends do not justify means

Conflict of Interest and roles

Confidentiality of state secrets

Application of merit principle

Transparent public dealing

Personal morality vs. organizational ethics

Financial prudence and integrity


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Public service is a trust; not putting in your bestefforts is a breach of trust

Working according to job description is yourduty, working beyond is ethics

Work is honour; salary is not its compensation

Life long learning is must to improve yourcompetency and giving best of you


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Yes, they dont ! Never fall prey to shortcuts

Only self-alienated person mixes the both

Do not rationalise your procedural lapses bysuccessful execution of a plan

Do go for positive interpretation of rulesprovided the spirit of the legislation is intact


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Do not deal with any case where your own, oryour friends' or familys interest are involved.

Do not accept any assignment which conflicts

with your job description

If you want to do business/consultancy, seekpermission and take leave


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There may be certain moral values which you preferbut if they are in conflict with the organization, thenyou have to follow these. It is ethical behaviour

You are bound by the rules of the game not by yourown moral values how high they may be

In case of conflict between your personal moralityand organizational ethics, the latter will be yourguiding principles not your own set of values


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You are bound by the law to keep state secrets to

yourself

Access to Information Act is applicable to non-classified information only

Loose talk about cases you deal is unethical

Giving off-the-record information to press isalso unethical and immoral

Settle your score by writing dissenting notes onfiles ,not through press leakage


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Always apply the merit principle-whether recruiting,posting or appointing a person

Or making any decision about a career,

contract or award without any fear or favour

Non-discrimination-on the basis of gender, religion,caste, except where bound by law

Besides being right in itself, in these days of judicialactivism, media exposure and civil society intrusion, yourcareer and reputation depends on your being ethical


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Transparency in public dealing is the essenceof ethical behaviour

Withholding information with mala fideintentions is as criminal as taking bribe

There is a thick red line between transparency

and confidentiality-the intention


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Acceptance of gifts by public for any reasonis totally forbidden

Deposit them with the concerned ministry in

case given by the foreigners

Elaborate rules exit for purchasing these giftsif you feel a fancy for any gift

Misusing public funds for personal gain oruse-avoid it


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Ethical behaviour is contagious

Your example will be quoted and followed

Leave better examples to be followed


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essential skills for public servants-3 ethical behaviour and morality

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