Identifying Public Service Values

Public servants are servants of the public, of government, of their immediate organisation and of the law. Their role is traditionally conceptualised as part of an interconnected structure existing alongside but outside of the  private sphere. It is assumed public servants share the values of wider society, whilst also recognising the need for representative government. Though public servants perform a myrid of tasks and undertake a multitude of responsibilities, there are common elements to their work,

Public administrations were established to provide politically neutral and loyal service to governments. For the purposes of ensuring neutrality and loyalty, rules were formalised concerning such issues as impartiality, incorruptability, allegiance to the constitution, and obedience to the law. In order to provide an environment in which these rules could be adhered to, public servants were offered security of tenure, a meritocratic career path and post-service remuneration.
In line with the classic organisational form, the image of the public servant has traditionally been that of a `bureaucrat' - an image which tends to be associated with conservatism, an absence of radicalism or even hierarchial control. The public servant's duties today remain many, complex and often seemingly contradictory, but successful public servants recognise their multiple roles and prepare for them. These include :-

• Maintaining confidentiality
• Acting in the public interest
• Regulating
• Providing quality advice
• Adjudicating
• Avoiding conflicts of interest
• Ensuring accountability

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