CODE OF ETHICS FOR

THE PUBLIC SERVICE

AN
ABRIDGED VERSION
 INTRODUCTION
Ethical conduct in the Public Service revolves
around a number of core values and
behavioural standards namely integrity,
honesty, objectivity, impartiality, loyalty,
respect, accountability, excellence,
confidentiality and selflessness.
•Adherence to these core
values would create a public
service that is responsive to
the needs of the Zambian
people.
 INTEGRITY
This refers to putting the obligations of the
public service above one’s personal
interests, and conducting oneself in a
manner that is beyond reproach. In this
regard public service employees shall:
 Discharge their functions reasonably and
according to law;
 Comply with ethical standards governing
their profession.
 Not accept gifts, rewards or hospitality or
receive benefits of any kind from any
person or organisation which might
compromise, or reasonably be seen to
compromise one’s personal judgement or
integrity.
 CONTD..................

not misuse their official position

to further their private
interests/gain or those of others;
Not consume alcoholic beverages
while on duty;
Not dress and behave in a manner that
is not appropriate, and brings into
disrepute the public service;
Not engage in any outside
employment, for remuneration or
otherwise, unless prior approval has
been obtained from the Responsible
Officer.
 HONESTY
This entails being truthful and declaring all
private interests relating to one’s public
duties. Public service employees shall:
 Disclose to the relevant authorities their direct
or indirect financial interest in any
undertaking that may be or viewed as
conflicting with Government interest;
Not deceive or knowingly mislead
any one in the course of duty;
Not be influenced by improper
pressure or exert undue pressure on
others for personal gain.
 OBJECTIVITY
Refers to being open and basing one’s
advice and decisions on unbiased and
rigorous analysis of the evidence. In
this regard a public service employee
shall:
Provide information and advice on the
basis of evidence, and accurately
Make decisions based on the
merit of the each case;
Take due account of
expert and professional
advice.
 IMPARTIALITY
Public service employees shall:
Carry out their responsibilities
in a way that is fair, just, and
equitable.
 Serve the Government of the day, whatever its
political persuasion, to the best of their ability in a
way that maintains political impartiality, no
matter what their political beliefs are;
 Not act in a way that unjustifiably favours or
discriminates against particular individuals or
interests;
 Not allow their personal political views to
determine any advice or action taken.
 LOYALTY
This involves serving the Government of the day
regardless of one’s political, religious, social or
cultural beliefs. In this regard employees shall:
 At all times have absolute and undivided
loyalty to the constitution of Zambia, other
written laws and the lawfully constituted
Government;
 Comply with any lawful restrictions
that have been laid down o n socio-
economic, cultural or religious
activities;
 Not frustrate the implementation of
Government policies by declining to
take action.
 RESPECT
Public service employees shall:
 Refrain from using offensive, intimidating,
derogatory words and /or gestures to those in
authority, fellow employees and members of
the general public;
• Be courteous and protect every
person’s dignity and rights as
enshrined in the constitution of
Zambia
 ACCOUNTABILITY
Public service employees in terms of
accountability shall:
Ensure proper, effective and efficient use
of public funds and other resources;
Carry out their responsibilities in a
transparent and efficient manner;
 Safeguard and account for all public assets
and resources under one’s responsibility and
custody;
 Not absent themselves from official duties
during office hours without leave;
 Be account able to the public and the
Government in the discharge of their duties.
 EXCELLENCE
Refers to being diligent, committed,
efficient, and effective in the execution of
one’s duties. In relation to this public
service employees shall:
 Deal with the affairs of the public
efficiently, promptly and effectively
without bias or maladministration;
Uphold the highest standard of
performance;
Project a good, right and positive image
of the public service;
Have due regard for hygiene, cleanliness
and safety of the public and colleagues at
the work place.
 CONFIDENTIALITY
This is being trustworthy by not
revealing or disclosing privileged
information to unauthorised persons.
Public service employees shall:
• Observe confidentiality even after
leaving the public service;
• Not disclose without authority
official information which has been
communicated in confidence within
Government or received from others.
 SELFLESSNESS
• Public service employees shall:
 Carry out their responsibilities in a noble,
unselfish and gallant manner;
 Apply themselves to the best of their abilities
in the discharge of duties and responsibilities
for the public good.
 BREACH OF THE CODE
• A breach of the code would lead to
the application of appropriate
disciplinary action in accordance
with the provisions of the existing
disciplinary codes.
 DISCIPLINARY CODE
This is based on the following principles:
1) Disciplinary action should first involve
counselling, then corrective action. Where
these steps are ineffective, punitive action
shall be taken.
• To protect the public service
against indiscipline and to
protect public officers against
arbitrary judgement and
punishment.
 OFFENCES AND SANCTIONS
TYPE OF OFFENCE SANCTION FOR FIRST OFFENCE

A. ABSENTEEISM AND POOR TIME

KEEPING
1. Reporting late for work . Verbal warning
2. Leaving work early Verbal warning
3. idling, loitering Verbal warning
4. Absence from duty without leave for10 Discharge or summary dissmissal
continuous days
B. SUB-STANDARD PERFORMANCE
1.Unsatisfactory work and poor supervision Written warning

2.Failure to report offences Written warning

3.Negligence of duty resulting in damage, injury, Severe Warning With Suspension
loss of money or stores
 OFFENCES AND SANCTIONS
TYPE OF OFFENCE SANCTION FOR FIRST
OFFENCE
C.INDISCIPLINE/ DISORDERLY BEHAVIOUR

1. Failure or refusing to obey lawful instructions or Severe Warning

orders
2. Use of abusive language Written Warning
3.Communicating with press or issuing unauthorised Written Warning
press statement
4. Receiving or giving gifts of valuable nature Severe Warning with suspension
without prior approval
5. Threatening violence Final Warning
6.Drinking alcoholic beverages whilst on duty Mandatory suspension
 OFFENCES AND SANCTIONS
TYPE OF OFFENCE SANCTION FOR FIRST OFFENCE

D. LOSS, DAMAGE AND MISUSE OF

GOVERNMENT PROPERTY

1. Negligent loss or damage to Government Written Warning

property

2. Wilful loss or damage to Government Final Warning

property

E. BRIBERY, CORRUPTION AND

FRAUD/THEFT

1. Bribery and corruption Discharge or summary dissmissal

2. Misappropriation of funds Discharge or summary dissmissal

3. Falsifying official documents, forgery Discharge or summary dissmissal

 OFFENCES AND SANCTIONS
TYPE OF OFFENCE SANCTION FOR FIRST
OFFENCE

4. Secret commissions Discharge or summary dissmissal

F. ILLEGAL INDUSTRIAL ACTION

1.Incitment to strike Severe Warning with suspension

2. Illegal strike action Discharge or summary dissmissal

3. Sabotage Discharge or summary dissmissal

 OFFENCES AND SANCTIONS
TYPE OF OFFENCE SANCTION FOR FIRST
OFFENCE
G. BREACH OF TRUST OR
CONFIDENTIALITY
1. Breach of state secrets Discharge or summary
dissmissal
2. Discussing matters of defence and security Discharge or summary
dissmissal
3. Unauthorised disclosure of confidential Discharge or summary
information dissmissal
H. SEXUAL HARASSMENT
1.Seductive sexual advances Written Warning
2. Sexual Bribery, threat or coercion Severe warning
3. Sexual imposition Final Warning
4.Rape Discharge or summary
 CONCLUSION
Public service employees have the right
to appeal and should be given
opportunity to exculpate themselves.
Thorough investigations need to be
carried out in order to bring out the truth
of each case.