THE GOOD LIFE

by MEGS S. LUNN

Norm of Conduct In The Civil Service

There are times, if not always, when the norms for government employees are often misunderstood and even when understood, it is also ignored.

Whenever I am asked to help someone to follow up or go with them to a government agency, I can’t help but observed what is going on in that office. Mind you, I saw and will see a lot of unbecoming of employees in coming to office “on time”, in performing their duties and responsibilities to their clienteles.

Republic Act 6713 otherwise known as the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees approved in 1989 provides these employees difficult times to distinguish what is ethical from what is immoral. Way back in my elementary grades, I was taught about ethics, values and morality in my way of life. Whether I will work in a private or public office, I am supposed to carry these norms and behaviors.

You and I, do we still need the law like RA 6713 for us to be reminded of our duties and responsibilities and how to behave in an office? Do we ignore what our teachers imbibed in us? Do we know how to read but refuse to understand?

To get factual time record, most of the offices now have Biometrics machine to make sure accurate reporting to office and departure from it are achieved. However, some employees are innovative to report on time, and go out of the office and finish the house work, go back to the office to punch out. Security guards can attest to this. The distinction between right and wrong are ignored by these employees. They justify their wrong doing by alleging that they have so much work to do and therefore, understand them why they are not there on their table in time to serve their callers. How many times will I be seeing this occurring in government offices?   

Do government employees concern fully understand what their commitments to public trust are? It is very rare that I see a very good role model of a government employee these days. 

With RA 6713, the code sets eight norms of conduct to be followed by all government employees and officials. The eight norms of conduct are commitment to public trust, professionalism, justness and sincerity, political neutrality, responsiveness to the public, nationalism and patriotism, commitment to democracy and simple living. Likewise, it deals with the proper do’s and don’ts of their conduct in the matters of financial transactions, business interests and relatives in government. It does follow that even our conduct with our personal lives is govern by this code. 

Take the case of being responsive to clienteles. I still see employees who are very slow in the process of doing things, even there is already the so called Citizen’s Charter. Again, they know how to read, but they refuse to understand. The poor clients wait long to the point of crying out loud waiting to be served. 

May all government employees take enough time to reflect once in a while on what they do in the office and with their positions; how do they response to conduct in proper decorum, and if they deserve their salary at the end of the day. Do they count the time when they render services and ask for more compensation and incentives than what they are expected to deliver? Do they use and take advantage of their emotion in order to gain sympathy? Is this the right thing to do? Do they treat and give fair service to their clients poor or rich? Are they mindful of their action in front of their client and serve them well and with a smile? Will they take time to re-evaluate themselves and think, are we making a difference in the life of others through our positions and obligations?

To conduct themselves as public officials and employees is to serve with utmost integrity, competence, responsibility, loyalty, justice, modesty and with acts of being patriotic; uphold only the interest of the public and not of their own. The positions occupied are temporary instruments to make peace, to give joy and to deliver what is noble and right to their clienteles. Employees must demonstrate they deserve the people’s trust. That they are accountable and liable of whatever misconduct they committed. People expect to be served well.

The clienteles deserve fair, just and equal treatment. 

The Civil Service Commission has this to say, “As mere custodian or stewards of public office, employees cannot hold on to their positions as they please. A government position is not a private preserve. It is not their private property to do with it any wish they want to. They must live by the rules, regulations, and norms of conduct and discipline that are at all times expected of public servants. Public interest comes first and foremost, rising well above personal goals”/MP