Standards

The OECD Recommendation of the Council on Public Integrity calls on adherents to “set high standards of conduct for public officials, in particular through:

a) Going beyond minimum requirements, prioritising the public interest, adherence to public-service values, an open culture that facilitates and rewards organisational learning and encourages good governance;

b) Including integrity standards in the legal system and organisational policies (such as codes of conduct or codes of ethics) to clarify expectations and serve as a basis for disciplinary, administrative, civil and/or criminal investigation and sanctions, as appropriate;

c) Setting clear and proportionate procedures to help prevent violations of public integrity standards and to manage actual or potential conflicts of interest;

d) Communicating public sector values and standards internally in public sector organisations and externally to the private sector, civil society and individuals, and asking these partners to respect those values and standards in their interactions with public officials.”

Questions for self-assessment:

1. Is there a clear, memorable and actionable statement of public sector values?

There is no clear statement of public sector values.

The statement of public sector values exists, but is ambiguous.

The statement of public sector values is clear for all public bodies, but there is no accompanying guidance to support implementation.

There are between 5-9 values, which are clearly defined and accompanied by guidance to support implementation.

2. Are integrity standards included in the criminal, civil and administrative frameworks?

There are no integrity standards in the criminal, civil or administrative legal frameworks.

Some, but not all, integrity standards are embedded in the criminal, administrative and civil legal frameworks.

Integrity standards are embedded in the criminal, civil and administrative legal frameworks.

Integrity standards are embedded in the criminal, civil and administrative legal frameworks. These are regularly updated to reflect the evolution of integrity issues.

3. Is a Code of Ethics or Conduct in place and enforceable?

There is no Code of Ethics or Conduct in place.

A Code of Ethics or Conduct exists, but does not link integrity standards from related legislative and policy documents. There is no guidance in place to support implementation. Stakeholders are not involved in its preparation, and provisions are cumbersome and unclear. Procedures to monitor, report and investigate breaches are established but not implemented.

A Code of Ethics or Conduct is in place, and combines values and standards, with some guidance to support implementation. A small group of stakeholders developed it, and it is linked to the related legislative framework. Procedures to monitor, report and investigate breaches are established, with a few personnel assigned to address reports.

A Code of Ethics or Conduct is in place, and combines values and standards, with guidance on applying the Code in practice. All relevant stakeholders have been involved in its preparation, it is clear and logical, and it is linked to the related legislative framework. Procedures to systematically monitor, report and investigate breaches are well established, resourced and communicated.

4. Are there supplementary codes or standards for sensitive positions in place and enforceable?

There are no supplementary codes or standards in place for sensitive positions.

There are supplementary codes for public officials working in sensitive areas (e.g. procurement, finance, tax and customs, etc.), but specific standards do not exist for third parties (e.g. private sector, special advisers, lobbyists, etc.). Procedures to monitor, report and investigate breaches are established but not implemented.

In addition to supplementary codes, there are specific standards required of third parties (e.g. private sector, special advisers, lobbyists, etc.). Procedures to monitor, report and investigate breaches are established, with a few personnel assigned to address reports.

For each of the supplementary codes and standards, the key stakeholders are involved in preparation , and guidance is in place to support implementation. Procedures to systematically monitor, report and investigate breaches are well established, resourced and communicated.

5. Are the public sector values and integrity standards communicated internally in the public sector and externally to the private sector, civil society and individuals?

There is no communication on public sector values and integrity standards.

The public sector values and integrity standards are communicated within the public sector on an ad hoc basis. There are no external communications of the public sector values and integrity standards.

The public sector values and integrity standards are communicated within the public sector. External communication on public sector values and integrity standards is done on an ad hoc basis.

Strategic communications on public sector integrity values and standards, both internally and externally, take place. A variety of communication methods are used.