Our Role; Application; Act
in the Public Interest; Act
with Integrity; Act with
Respect for Others;
Act with Skill and Dedication; Thinking
it Through;
For More Information - Contact; References
The public service plays an essential role in our democratic way of life, faithfully serving the people of Manitoba through their duly elected government.
The public service affects the day-to-day lives of Manitoba communities and individuals. Civil servants deliver a wide range of services for the benefit of the people of Manitoba and, in doing so, endeavor to make a positive contribution to the quality of life of all Manitobans.
Civil servants provide advice on options available to achieve the government’s policies and the consequences of each option. We provide that advice in a complete, honest, and candid manner without fear or favour. Civil servants are then responsible to implement the directions of the government within the law and the Constitution.
All civil servants hold a unique position of trust. Our actions, directly or indirectly touch the lives of all Manitobans. Whether providing advice, developing policy or delivering programs or direct services, civil servants will:
The values and ethics guide of the Manitoba civil service has been developed to:
The Values and Ethics Guide applies to all civil service employees as defined by The Civil Service Act and complements existing legislation, policies and guidelines.
If you are unsure how this guide applies to you, please discuss with your manager.
Manitoba’s civil servants act in the public interest by:
Public trust
In the performance of our responsibilities, the public interest is
paramount.
Conflict of interest
It is essential that we do not, by our actions, place ourselves in
a conflict of interest. The Conflict
of Interest Policy in Principles
and Policies for Managing Human Resources provides direction
on conduct expected of civil servants and how to deal with situations
to prevent a conflict of interest. The Conflict of Interest Policy
seeks to protect the public interest, the organization and civil
servants. The intent is to prevent employees from using public office
for private gain.
Confidentiality and the use of information
We must exercise discretion in our use of confidential information
acquired by virtue of our employment and ensure that the privacy
of individuals and their information is maintained. We must be aware
of and observe the confidentiality provisions of our Oath of Office
as well as those contained in legislation, such as The
Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA)
and The
Personal Health Information Act (PHIA).
Political impartiality
We are required to provide the same support to the elected government
regardless of which political party is in office. We should be aware
of our own personal views and ensure they do not influence the way
in which we carry out our duties. All advice to government must be
based on an accurate representation of the facts and the possible
consequences of the options available.
Use of public money, property, goods or resources
We are required to use all resources, including human, financial and
technological resources, efficiently and effectively for the
public benefit. As a manager or as an employee, we strive to
ensure that the public receives maximum value for each tax dollar
spent.
Political rights
With the exception of deputy ministers, we have the right to be politically
active, but we are reminded of our responsibilities to maintain confidentiality.
While we are permitted to seek nomination, support a candidate or
political party and speak or write on behalf of the candidate or
political party, we are not permitted to solicit funds for a provincial
or federal political party or candidate. However, we must follow
the guidelines of the Civil Service Commission when doing so. See
Section 44 of The
Civil Service Act.
Public comment
Civil servants have the same rights of free speech and independence
in the conduct of their private affairs as other members of the public.
However, civil servants also have a duty to ensure that any public
comment on government policy is appropriate to the position they
hold and is compatible with the need to maintain a politically impartial
Manitoba’s civil servants act with integrity by:
Personal conduct
We are expected to exhibit honesty, integrity and the highest standards
of personal conduct. We should respect and obey all laws and avoid
any activities which negatively impact the government’s interests,
property, security, reputation, employee health and safety or the
confidence of the public. This applies to both on-duty and off-duty
conduct. (Refer to the Criminal
Charges Policy for additional information.)
Creating a fair, equitable and impartial environment.
Our decisions affect other employees, clients and the public and so
must be fair, consistent and equitable. Fairness requires that our
decisions are based on relevant information and are honest, open
and impartial. Equity is being fair and just to all people, and correcting
or supplementing practices to redress disadvantages experienced by
individuals. Equity may mean treating someone differently to provide
an equal chance or opportunity.
Manitoba’s civil servants act with respect for others by:
Valuing diversity
A strong and effective civil service is enriched by, and open to, the
exchange of different perspectives and ideas. This creates a foundation
for understanding and building relationships, and results in the
development of better policies and service delivery. We value the
diversity of our fellow employees and strive to reflect the diversity
of Manitobans. See the Civil Service Commission’s Valuing
Diversity: An Equity Approach handbook for further information.
Respectful workplace
It is our collective responsibility to ensure that we contribute to,
and maintain a respectful workplace environment that is free from
harassment and discrimination. A respectful workplace promotes
courteous and professional conduct, and expects staff to communicate
effectively and work together to meet organizational goals. If you
are unsure on how to deal with disrespectful behaviour occurring
in your workplace, follow the responsibilities outlined in the government’s Respectful
Workplace Policy.
Services to the public
We are committed to ensuring all contact with the public is prompt,
courteous, respectful and contributes to making the experience of
dealing with government as satisfying and constructive as possible.
Manitoba’s civil servants act with skill and dedication by:
Citizen-centered service
In delivering government programs and services, we are committed to
providing quality service to the public. In doing so, we are continually
reviewing ways to improve our programs and services in response to
the public’s changing needs. Whether it is through the use
of new technology, forging new partnerships, or streamlining our
processes, we will ensure we are flexible and adapt quickly to change. Serving
the public to the best of our ability is an essential role of the
civil service.
Merit
Selection for appointment, promotion or transfer shall be based on
the merit principle as outlined in The
Civil Service Act. The goal of this principle is to ensure
that the civil service is comprised of well qualified employees with
abilities, skills, training and competence to perform at their initial
level of appointment and as far as is reasonably possible to progress
in a career within the civil service. This requires that we maintain
and develop our skills on an ongoing basis to ensure that we meet
the demands of our continuously changing work environment.
It is not possible to have a rule for every situation. The guide below will help you to ensure that your behaviour meets the required standards. Assistance is also available from your manager, Human Resource Services, your deputy minister (or designate) or the Labour Relations Division of the Treasury Board Secretariat. If you are unsure, seek advice before you act.
1. Identify and assess the situation
2. Look at the situation from a public sector standpoint
3. Would your behavior stand up to scrutiny by the public
4. Identify and consider the options
5. Choose your course of action
Code
of Conduct for South Australian Public Sector Employees, October
2001 (pdf)
New
Zealand Public Service Code of Conduct, Sept. 2001
A Framework for Effective Comptrollership in the Government of Manitoba,
Sept. 2003