ETHICS
AND
PUBLIC
ADMINISTRATION
KALE D. FUNDANO, MPA
Introduction
All entities that conduct and provide services in
the framework of public administration should
focus on addressing requirements and broad
societal interests by offering more efficient
services with high levels of accountability and
thoroughness. Citizens' services and needs should
be met via the conscientious acts of those
employees and officials who represent the
entities that carry out public administration
operations.
ETHICS AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
Frederickson and Ghere (2005) addressed
both the managerial and individual/moral
dimensions of ethical behavior as well as
new challenges to administrative ethics
posed by globalization.
As promoted by Cooper (2001) ethics in
public administration is not a transient
concept but has proven to be an approach
which has shown a great deal of
sustainability which is fundamental to the
area of public administration.
What is Ethics?
The term ‘ethics’ derives from
the Greek (ethikos) which means
‘relating to an individual’s
character’ and comes, in turn,
from (ethos) meaning ‘character’
or ‘moral nature’.
Ethics, according to French and
Granroe (1995), are “a set of
normative guidelines directed at
resolving conflicts of interest so
as to enhance societal well-
being”.
Ethics is a key component of good governance (Perry et
al. 2014) and it should also be a fundamental part of the
workplace skills and orientation of every civil servant that is
committed to his or her work and attuned to their role in
society.
A conscious citizen = A conscious & moral employee
A citizen who adheres to the law = An employee who
enforces the legal obligation to protect, apply, and respect
applicable laws and the rules of ethics
Administrative Ethics
Thompson (1985), emphasizes:
a) the rights and duties that individuals
should respect when they act in ways
that seriously affect the well-being of
other individuals and society;
b)the conditions that collectively practices
and policies should satisfy when they
similarly affect the well-being of
individuals and society.
Ethical behavior by
administration employees not
only facilitates the performance
of duties and responsibilities by
employees but also improves
the image of the institutions
and bodies that exercise
administration activities.
POTTER STEWART
“Ethics is knowing the difference between
what you have a right to do and what is right
to do.”
Importance of
Ethics in the
Work of Public
Administration
Importance
Public servants (Meguid, 2011) are expected to have high ethical
standards for:
1. the law. The most basic forms of ethical behavior are prescribed in rules,
regulations, orders, etc.
2. ethical behavior is essential in maintaining public trust in government:
citizens must know that public officials have integrity and will deliver
critical public services on time.
Public servants are to protect and conserve government property
and use it properly. All government property is paid for by the public.
The public expects to use its resources wisely. The photocopying
machine is a widely used and misused piece of gov’t equipment. They
may not use any government property, including the services of
contractors, supplies, equipment, machines, or government vehicles for
purposes other than doing their job.
A public employee cannot use non-public information to further
their own private interest or that of another, or even to get a jump on
purchasing stock for themselves, family members, or anyone else. That
would be taking advantage of their government position. Non-public
information remains non-public until announcements are made.
A public official may use their agency’s letterhead and official
title to write a recommendation for their acquaintance if they have
personal knowledge of his/her skills or character, this also applies to
letters of recommendation for a person they’ve dealt with in their
job as long as they have a knowledge of that person’s ability.
A public servant cannot use their gov’t title, position, or
authority to endorse any products, services, or enterprises. That
could imply that their agency sanctions personal opinion.
Nonetheless, if it’s part of the agency’s mission to promote
document compliances or products, that would be permitted.
They cannot also use their position for their own personal
gain or for the benefit of themselves or others – family, friends,
neighbors, and organizations that are affiliated outside the
government. Serving the public is not an opportunity to obtain
special treatment for themselves and others, but to serve the
public.
The supervisor cannot ask their employee to command
something personal during working hours. Official time is to be
used for the performance of official duties. They can only use
their work hours to perform their job.
References
Ethics in Public Administration. (2012). D. Radhika. Journal of Public Administration and Policy
Research. Vol. 4(2) pp. 23-31.
Public Administration: An Introduction. (2nd Edition). M. Holzer & R. W. Schwester.
Routledge, 711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017
The Role of Ethics in Public Administration. (2019). A. Fejzullahu & M. Batalli. SEER Journal
for Labour and Social Affairs in Eastern Europe p. 267 – 278
Thank you
