Deputy Head of the Civil Service Colin Ross said civil servants are allowed to work second jobs or own businesses as long as they get permission to do so first and abide by the rules outlined in the General Orders and Code of Conduct.
Although instances of civil servants engaging in private gainful activities have increased significantly since Hurricane Ivan, it is nothing new and dates back decades.
Of the civil servants working secondary jobs, most are those who work shift systems, like policemen and firemen, Mr. Ross said.
However, the large majority of civil servants involved in gainful activities outside of the government job are involved in their own business.
‘We have and have had civil servants that have their own companies,’ Mr. Ross said.
The numbers have increased since Ivan primarily for two reasons, Mr. Ross said.
‘For one, people need money,’ he said. ‘But it’s also because there is opportunity.’
All civil servants must request and be granted permission before they can engage in any personal gainful activity outside of their government job.
The process for obtaining that permission changed with the implementation of the revised General Orders earlier this year.
An administration circular sent by Chief Secretary George McCarthy dated 30 May 2005 outlined the change.
‘Hitherto, permission for this has been granted by the Permanent Secretary, Personnel Chief Officer, Portfolio of the Civil Service acting on behalf of the Governor. Permission has only been granted if the requesting employee’s supervisor has agreed to support the request.
‘General Orders 2005 has transferred this item into the Employment Agreement template, which is being used now for all new entrants to the Civil Service and for those who are beginning new assignments.
‘Existing civil servants who wish to work in addition to their government employment must now seek permission from their Chief Officer to do so.’
Before permission is granted in writing, Chief Officers must be satisfied that the outside work being granted would not interfere with the work for the government.
In addition, the outside work can not be carried out during the scheduled government working hours for the civil servant and can not involve the use of government property such as vehicles or electronic/technological resources.
Mr. McCarthy noted in the circular that ‘significant abuse’ to the permission to work had occurred both prior to and after Hurricane Ivan.
‘Disciplinary measures have had to be instituted and sanctions applied,’ he wrote.
Mr. Ross noted that the problem had increased since Hurricane Ivan.
The civil servants’ Code of Conduct also covers working outside of government, both directly and indirectly.
Mr. Ross said any infraction to Public Servant’s Code of Conduct was a serious offence.
‘Breaking the Code of Conduct, or refusing to observe it, can lead to dismissal,’ he said.
‘Government is not going to condone any abuse of this system. Anyone who is working outside jobs during government hours is guilty.
‘No one can be excused if they are caught,’ he said.
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