Ethical principles for civil service

The service ethics for civil servants is based on the below principles:

• trustworthiness: provision of diligent service to the state for the benefit of society;
• honesty: sincere attitude when performing duties;
• justness: legitimate decision-making regardless of the influence of individuals and legal entities, public groups and organizations and prevention of discrimination against individuals due to bias and subjectivity in any circumstances;
• openness: willingness to work with the public and assurance of transparency of activities;
• politeness: proper and respectful attitude towards citizens and colleagues;
• customer orientation: taking measures to improve the quality of public service delivery, fully focusing on the needs of population as a consumer of public services, and preventing red tape when considering applications.

The following requirements apply to civil servants:

• modesty, observation of generally accepted moral and ethical standards, non-distribution of information that is not consistent with the reality;
• prevention of actions that harm the interests of the country and the rights of citizens;
• compliance with legal restrictions, avoidance of conflicts of interest;
• exercise of correct attitude when dealing with citizens and prevention of rudeness, humiliation, tactlessness and incorrect behavior, commitment not to give any reasons for criticism caused by actions and behavior;
• observation of business protocol and rules of official conduct, prevention of actions that undermine the dignity and authority of government agencies in the eyes of citizens;
• refrain from making illegal promises and undertaking illegal obligations of any kind related to the performance of official duties;
• refrain from using official position to influence the activities of government agencies, organizations, civil servants and other persons in settling personal issues, as well as not to use it in the interests of public and religious associations, other non-profit organizations, including to promote personal attitude towards them;
• provision of state property safety, use of state property only for its intended purpose and performance of official duties and permitted types of activity;
• non-pursue of illegal financial and property interests that impede the conscientious performance of official duties.
• refrain from visiting gambling establishments, except in cases related to performance of official duties.

The appearance of a civil servant in the performance of official duties should contribute to strengthening the authority of the civil service and comply with the generally accepted business style, which is distinguished by formality, restraint and accuracy.

Civil servants should not publicly express their opinion on public policy and official activities if it does not correspond to the main directions of public policy, disclose official information that is not allowed to be made public and contains unethical statements addressed to state officials, public administration bodies, and other civil servants.

Outside duty hours civil servants should adhere to generally accepted moral and ethical standards, show modesty, do not demonstrate or use their official position when obtaining services and avoid cases of antisocial behavior involving an infringement on public morality.

• promote establishment and strengthening of business and friendly relationships and constructive cooperation in the team;
• prevent or undertake other measures to prevent violations of the service ethics standards by other civil servants;
• refrain from discussing personal and professional qualities of colleagues that discredit their honor and dignity in the team;
• serve as an example of impartiality, justice, selflessness, respect for the honor and dignity of an individual;
• take measures aimed at creating a favorable moral and psychological atmosphere that excludes any discrimination and offence against the honor and dignity of civil servants;
• not to force to commit acts that do not comply with generally accepted moral and ethical standards;
• prevent unfounded accusations, cases of rudeness, humiliation of dignity, tactlessness and inappropriate behavior towards colleagues;
• not to impose religious beliefs on colleagues, not to force subordinate employees to participate in the activities of public and religious associations and other non-profit organizations

Civil servants should not publicly express their opinion on public policy and official activities if it does not correspond to the main directions of public policy, disclose official information that is not allowed to be made public and contains unethical statements addressed to state officials, public administration bodies, and other civil servants.

Public statements on the activities of a government agency are made by its head or authorized officials of a government agency.

Civil servants should conduct discussions in a correct manner, without undermining the authority of the civil service.

An authorized body for civil service affairs coordinates the prevention of violations of official ethics in accordance with the legislation.