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I am a civil servant

The Civil Service Code

Rights and responsibilities

15. Your department or agency has a duty to make you aware of this Code and its values. If you believe that you are being required to act in a way which conflicts with this Code, your department or agency must consider your concern, and make sure that you are not penalised for raising it.
16. If you have a concern, you should start by talking to your line manager or someone else in your line management chain. If for any reason you would find this difficult, you should raise the matter with your department's nominated officers who have been appointed to advise staff on the Code.
17. If you become aware of actions by others which you believe conflict with this Code you should report this to your line manager or someone else in your line management chain; alternatively you may wish to seek advice from your nominated officer. You should report evidence of criminal or unlawful activity to the police or other appropriate authorities.
18. If you have raised a matter covered in paragraphs 15 to 17, in accordance with the relevant procedures⁵, and do not receive what you consider to be a reasonable response, you may report the matter to the Civil Service Commissioners⁶. The Commissioners will also consider taking a complaint direct. Their address is:

3rd Floor,
35 Great Smith Street,
London
SW1P 3BQ

Tel: 020 7276 2613
email: ocsc@civilservicecommissioners.gov.uk

If the matter cannot be resolved using the procedures set out above, and you feel you cannot carry out the instructions you have been given, you will have to resign from the Civil Service.

19. This Code is part of the contractual relationship between you and your employer. It sets out the high standards of behaviour expected of you which follow from your position in public and national life as a civil servant. You can take pride in living up to these values.

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5 The whistleblowing legislation (the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998) may also apply in some circumstances. The Directory of Civil Service Guidance gives more information: www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/propriety_and_ethics [External website].

6 The Civil Service Commissioners’ Appeals leaflet gives more information: www.civilservicecommissioners.gov.uk [External website]. This Code does not cover HR management issues.