Upholding the Civil Service Values

Role of the Civil Service Commissioners

The Civil Service Code outlines the core values of the Civil Service and gives illustrations of the standards of behaviour expected from civil servants. It also explains the duties of departments to make civil servants aware of the Code and its values. Departments must consider concerns raised by civil servants under the Code and must ensure that civil servants are not penalised for raising concerns.

Under the Civil Service Order in Council 1995 (as amended), the Civil Service Commissioners hear and determine appeals raised by civil servants under the Civil Service Code.

A civil servant will usually raise a concern by talking to their line manager or someone else in the line management chain. If for any reason this would be difficult, they can raise the matter with their department’s Nominated Officer. Nominated Officers are appointed to advise staff on the Code. If a civil servant has raised a concern within their department but do not receive what they consider to be a reasonable response, they may bring an appeal to the Civil Service Commissioners.

The Commissioners can also consider appeals from civil servants direct. But we believe that it is in the best interests of all parties that difficulties should be resolved at the departmental or agency level when that is possible.

Summary of Civil Service Code cases

Audit of departments