In this regard, HE Aisha Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Executive Director of Human Resources Policies Sector at the Authority, explained that the launch of the updated version of the document comes as part of the ongoing review ofhuman resource policies, legislation, and systems implemented at the Federal Government level. “The aim is to enhance the efficiency and flexibility of the work system in the Federal Government, and keep pace with the rapid global changes in various fields,”she noted.

She added that the Authority launched the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct Document for Civil Service in 2010 in order 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

HE said: "The document requires public servants to perform their duties faithfully, objectively and with integrity, and work constantly to achieve the objectives of the entity they work for. It also seeks to establish a culture of tolerance in line with the UAE Government’s directives, which calls for mutual respect and appreciation for different cultures, and providing the best services to customers to promote trust and credibility in the government sector.”

Core Values for the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct Document  for Civil Service

Aisha Al Suwaidi highlighted the 9 core values for the document: Excellence,  Efficiency, professionalism,  Integrity, Honesty, Objectivity, Transparency,  Fairness and Equality Neutrality, and Tolerance.

She said that the Authority has made the document available on its website www.fahr.gov.ae, and that series of virtual training workshops for employees and officials of ministries and federal entities will be held soon, to acquaint them with the most important updates of the document.

Public Servant’s Obligations

HE the Executive Director of HR Policies indicated that the and for Civil Service contains a set of duties that a government employee should abide by.  They must abide by all legislation and systems applied at the State level, behave in a manner that serves to promote and preserve the core values, integrity, and the good reputation of the State, and 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.

A civil servants must also demonstrate their loyalty to their workplace, and preserve the reputation of their entities or any other federal entity. They should use social networking sites according to rules set by the State in this regard, and in a manner that does not affect their reputation, the reputation of the entity they work for, the reputation of any other entity, or the State in general.

Code of Professional Conduct

For his part, Hamad Bu Amim, Director of Policies and Legal Affairs Department spoke about the rules of professional conduct contained in the document, explaining that it calls on all public officials to adherence to high moral codes at work, as holding a civil service position is considered a great responsibility to serve the citizens and to achieve public interest in accordance with the laws and regulations in force, and abide by the principles contained in the National Tolerance Program, including respect, moderation and a commitment to non-discrimination on the basis of origin, religion or race.

He stressed that public servants are not permitted to delegate the task of implementing their duties to others unless explicitly authorized to do so by law, the express written authorization of their direct superior or as a result of force majeure. They are also required to arrive at work at the start of the official working hours in accordance with applicable regulations in this regard. They are also required to be present at their work-stations during official working hours to carry out the obligations related to their duties and positions.

Bu Amim said: “According to the document, it is the public servants’ responsibility to execute any task assigned to them, even if it falls outside the scope of their usual duties and responsibilities, and they cannot refuse such tasks so long as the instructions were issued by their immediate superior.

“Public servants are required to assist their superiors, colleagues and other public officials in developing their knowledge, skills and competencies, and to encourage them to share and transfer relevant knowledge among each other.”

The Federal Entity’s Obligations towards the employee   

Asya Al Balushi, Head of Policies and Research Department, reviewed a number of the federal entity’s obligations towards the employee contained   in the document:

Federal entities are required to ensure justice and fairness in the application of the policies and values of human resources, and to protect the rights and privileges of public servants under the provisions of this policy, as well as create a work environment conducive to achieving the objectives of the government and its employees.

Federal entities are also obliged to encourage employee entrepreneurship and innovation, and to provide opportunities for them to participate in making suggestions for improving and developing the services offered in an atmosphere of mutual trust and understanding.

They are required to encourage employees to communicate openly and to enter constructive discussions, to consolidate the values of tolerance, dialogue and openness to different ideas, values and cultures, as well as  strengthen the role of the UAE as an example of tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

A culture of tolerance can be achieved by promoting cultural pluralism, and providing a safe technological environment for the employee by observing the controls related to maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of the entity’s data, and developing and updating services and channels for their delivery, with focusing on the values of happiness and respect for customers.