The Government announced today that it will streamline the mechanism for retiring officers for reasons of public interest, with the aim of improving governance and enhancing performance management and professionalism in the civil service.

It aims to promulgate the new mechanism and procedures across the civil service before the end of this year.

Under the streamlined system, well-defined and clear guidelines will be outlined to all civil servants regarding procedures for handling persistent sub-standard performers. This will be done whilst upholding impartiality, due process and the rights of officers.  

Civil servants affected will be entitled to make official representations in relation to performance issues twice, down from four times in the past. In addition, underperformers will only be able to extend an observation period – during which they are expected to show improvement – once, and for specific reasons only.

The Government will also remove the requirement for heads of department or heads of grades to set up and consult an independent panel within the department following an observation period and prior to submitting a case to the Civil Service Bureau.

Moreover, if a Special or Observation Appraisal is called for due to an officer’s persistent sub-standard performance but the officer has also been recommended for a salary increment in an annual appraisal, a stoppage or deferment of the increment will be mandated.

Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung said: “The procedures of the current mechanism are too complicated and lengthy. We have reviewed and streamlined the procedures under the principle of impartiality and fairness in order to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the mechanism and keep up with the times.”

She met staff-side representatives of the four civil service central consultative councils, as well as individuals from four major civil service groups, to brief them on the new mechanism and gauge views. The bureau has also consulted the Public Service Commission.

Mrs Yeung added: “We attach great importance to every member of the civil service, and the vast majority of civil servants serve the public with dedication in their respective positions.

“With the rising public expectations on civil servants, management must provide supervision and assistance to officers with unsatisfactory performances early. For officers with persistent sub-standard performances, we must take actions resolutely so that they will not have an adverse impact on civil service morale or on the performance of the Government as a whole.”