Civil Service Principles and Values
Creating an organizational environment grounded in core values is a key objective of public administration reform. This involves embedding principles and values at every stage of the governance process, including organizational structure development, decision-making, and interactions with external stakeholders. Achieving this requires applying legal norms and principles in practice and fostering organizational culture through informal management methods. This approach supports the development of civil service, enhances communication between public servants and citizens, promotes a culture of diligent work, and ensures the protection of public servants' rights.
The Law of Georgia on Public Service establishes fundamental principles that guide the creation of a value-driven organizational environment in the civil service. These principles include:
- Legality
- Loyalty
- Equality before the law
- Economic efficiency and effectiveness
- Merit-based civil service
- Impartiality
- Equal access to civil service for all Georgian citizens
- Accountability
- Political neutrality
- Career promotion
- Transparency and openness
- Social and legal security for public servants
Public servants often need to balance competing values or navigate value dilemmas while performing their official duties. These dilemmas may arise during decision-making, communication with citizens, or collaboration with colleagues and external stakeholders, contributing to the creation of a healthy organizational culture.
Since 2017, the Government of Georgia's Decree on the Determination of General Rules of Ethics and Behavior in Public Institutions has been in effect. Its primary aim is to establish an ethical environment in civil service by promoting professional standards among public servants. This decree ensures that core principles and values are reflected in practice, fostering an impartial, transparent, accountable, honest, and collegial public service system.
To achieve this goal, the Civil Service Bureau has actively organized awareness campaigns, training sessions, and forums since 2015. The Bureau has also developed practical guides, manuals, and informational materials, all of which are accessible on its website .
The creation of a value-based organizational environment is linked to effective human resource management policies. Beyond fulfilling legal requirements, public institutions can take additional steps to foster equality, inclusivity, and diversity in the workplace. Efforts to enhance employee motivation and satisfaction, such as flexible working conditions, further contribute to a positive working environment.
The establishment of such an environment is significantly influenced by the vision and approach of decision-makers within public institutions. Managers play a crucial role by setting a personal example of ethical behavior, creating open and inclusive spaces for employee feedback and initiatives, avoiding favoritism, and addressing the needs of employees equitably. Value-driven leadership positively impacts the daily activities and well-being of all employees, contributing to the overall effectiveness and integrity of the civil service.
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