Ethical practice: plain text
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From: Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation
- Published on: 2 April 2025
- Last updated on: 14 May 2025
Building trust by role-modelling ethical behaviour, and applying principles and values consistently in decision-making.
Ethical decisions
Level 1: At this level you’ll understand:
Consider how professional principles, Civil Service code of conduct and values inform your approach
Level 2: At this level you’ll understand:
Make responsible choices about your work, applying professional principles and values
Level 3: At this level you’ll understand:
Make responsible decisions by considering different ethical perspectives, policies and procedure and finding the best possible way forward for all stakeholders
Level 4: At this level you’ll understand:
Make responsible decisions by balancing different ethical perspectives, and shape how ethics inform wider decision-making and governance
Impact of decisions
Level 1: At this level you’ll understand:
Take responsibility for your actions
Level 2: At this level you’ll understand:
Consider the purpose and implications of actions, decisions and people practices for all stakeholders
Level 3: At this level you’ll understand:
Coach and influence managers and leaders to consider the implications of their decisions on stakeholders
Level 4: At this level you’ll understand:
Coach and influence leaders to consider the ethical impact of their decisions in the short and long-term
Ethics and law
Level 1: At this level you’ll understand:
Act consistently with relevant circulars, regulation and law
Level 2: At this level you’ll understand:
Raise concerns about people practices and policies/circulars which are not consistent with values or legislation
Level 3: At this level you’ll understand:
Challenge decisions and actions which are not ethical, explaining the organisation risks
Level 4: At this level you’ll understand:
Communicate ethical and legal expectations and take a visible lead in solving ethical dilemmas, considering how they will play out beyond the organisation
Transparency
Level 1: At this level you’ll understand:
Handle personal data and information in a professional manner and in line with policy and law e.g. GDPR
Level 2: At this level you’ll understand:
Provide explanations and reasons for the choices you make and the advice you provide
Level 3: At this level you’ll understand:
Encourage transparency in decision-making and communication where possible
Level 4: At this level you’ll understand:
Surface the unsaid in leadership discussions to enable transparency and improved decision-making
Integrity & values
Level 1: At this level you’ll understand:
Demonstrate honesty and Civil Service values in dealings with others
Level 2: At this level you’ll understand:
Demonstrate professionalism and consistency in what you say and do in order to build trust
Level 3: At this level you’ll understand:
Visibly and consistently role-model professional principles, Civil Service values and personal integrity to build trust
Level 4: At this level you’ll understand:
Role-model, promote and embed Civil Service values, ethical leadership and professional principles in organisations and the wider profession