The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) held a series of virtual workshops recently to explain the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct for Civil Service applied in the Federal Government, which was launched in its updated version at the middle of this year.
According to Asia Al Balushi, Head of Policies and Research Department at the Authority, the four workshops organized by the Authority received a great turnout and interaction by Federal Government employees, with the participation of more than 2,300 employees.
Asia Al-Balushi confirmed that the aim of holding the virtual workshops is to familiarize Federal Government employees with the updated version of the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct Document for Civil Service, and the most important amendments made to it, since its first version was launched in 2010.
She said: “The launch of the updated version of the document came as part of the continuous review conducted by the Authority of the human resources policies, legislation, and systems adopted in the Federal Government, in order to improve the efficiency and flexibility of the work system and to keep pace with the rapid global changes in various fields.
“The Authority has made the updated version of the document available on its website www.fahr.gov.ae, and distributed it to employees of ministries and federal entities, via the HR Management Information System in the Federal Government "Bayanati."
The document aims to create and develop a corporate culture for public servants that supports professional values and develops the spirit of responsibility and adherence to high moral codes in dealing with subordinates and colleagues, and in serving the public to provide them with better service to the public, and to increase confidence and credibility in the government sector.
The workshops reviewed the main values of professional code of conduct and ethics included in the document: excellence, leadership, honesty, economy, transparency, justice & equality excellence, honesty, integrity, objectivity, efficiency, transparency, jurisprudence, objectivity, impartiality, neutrality and tolerance.
In addition, it contains a set of duties and responsibilities that a government employee should undertake, including abidance by the laws and regulations in force, and act at all times in a manner that promotes the basic values, integrity and good reputation of the State, be aware that all individuals are equal before the eyes of the law, and that the law does not discriminate among its citizens in any way, shape or form, and be aware that serving the State and its people is an honor and privilege that is to be cherished with a sense of pride.
The document also includes a set of commitments federal government employees should observe. They must show loyalty to their workplace, not blemish its reputation or the reputation of any other federal entity, and optimally use social networking sites in a manner that does not affect their own reputation, or the reputation of the entity for which they work, or the reputation of any other federal entity, nor the State in general. They have to abide by all legislation issued to regulate the use of social media.
The document also urges all civil servants to adhere to the highest ethical standards and the rules of proper professional conduct at work, consider the public job as a responsibility and abide by the principles contained in the National Tolerance Program, including respect, moderation and rejection of any discrimination based on nationality, religion or race.