The Civil Service Code, which sets out the core values and standards of conduct civil servants are expected to uphold, has taken effect.

The Civil Service Bureau said today the code explains the framework within which civil servants are expected to work with politically-appointed officials under the expanded political-appointment system.

The core values civil servants should uphold include:

* commitment to the rule of law;

* honesty and integrity;

* objectivity and impartiality;

* political neutrality;

* accountability for decisions and actions; and,

* dedication, professionalism and diligence.

Civil servants should follow the standards of conduct based on these core values, the bureau added.

The code also covers civil servants' roles and responsibilities in relation to politically-appointed officials and their working relationship with them, and the mechanism to address concerns from civil servants on directions from politically-appointed officials.

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