STANDARDS OF MODESTY AND MORALITY OF CIVIL SERVANTS OUTSIDE OF OFFICIAL TIME

Public service in the Republic of Kazakhstan is a mission that requires constant compliance with high moral and ethical standards. This status is not limited to working hours, but extends to the entire life of an official, which is clearly enshrined in the Code of Ethics for Civil Servants. An employee is a representative of the state 24 hours a day, and his behavior outside the office directly affects the authority of the entire state apparatus and the level of trust of citizens.

The main principle of the Code is simple and categorical: Civil servants in off-duty time must adhere to generally accepted moral and ethical norms. For society, an official is not just a citizen; his private behavior is instantly projected onto the entire system of government. An unethical act, scandal or rudeness committed outside working hours can cause irreparable damage to the reputation of a public body, giving citizens the impression that the authorities are irresponsible and impunity.

The Code sets out three key requirements for off-duty behavior: modesty, non-use of official position and respect for public morals.

First, a public servant is obliged to be modest and absolutely not to use his or her official position in obtaining any services. Attempting to obtain privileges, expedited service or unwarranted preferences by invoking one's official credentials or status is a direct abuse of trust and a breach of ethics. An official must avoid any display of his or her position so as not to give the impression that his or her status entitles him or her to be “above” ordinary citizens.

Secondly, cases of antisocial behavior involving an attack on public morality are inadmissible. This means any destructive or defiant behavior: from public hooliganism and participation in fights to appearing in public places in an indecent or highly inebriated state. Such actions not only violate law and order, but also demonstrate disrespect for society, for which a public servant bears increased responsibility.

Special attention is paid to behavior on holidays and weekends. At such times, when civil servants have the most frequent contact with the public, it is important to remember the following rules:

1. Prevention of indecent behavior in public places, whether it be excessive aggression, rudeness or blatant disregard for the rules of decency.
2. Showing courtesy and tact in relations with citizens. A civil servant shall avoid rudeness, humiliation and tactless behavior, so that his actions do not become the cause of fair criticism.
3. Preventing any actions detrimental to official authority. This includes, but is not limited to, public expression of opinions that do not conform to the main directions of state policy or disclosure of official information.
4. Non-participation in situations that cause disorderly behavior. An official shall be a model of law-abidingness and civic responsibility.

High culture and personal responsibility of each civil servant is the main indicator of the authority of the entire state apparatus and the foundation of public trust. Compliance with these standards outside the service is not a restriction of personal freedom, but a conscious obligation arising from the special trust placed in the State. Violation of these standards is regarded as a disciplinary offense that denigrates the honor of public service and entails appropriate liability. For this reason, ethics has no day off for the public servant.