Raising a Code Complaint
Useful links:
- A guide for civil servants bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission
- Civil Service Code complaint form
The Civil Service Code ('“the Code'”), issued by the Minister for the Civil Service (the Prime Minister), is the ethical code of conduct for civil servants. It outlines the core values of the Civil Service – integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality – and describes the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants against each of these four values.
The process for raising a complaint
If you are asked to do something as a civil servant which conflicts with the Code, or are aware that another civil servant is acting in conflict with the Code, you should first raise the concern within your employer.
Each Civil Service employer will have a multi-stage ‘Raising a Concern’ policy for civil servants to follow when they have concerns on a range of issues. This will include how to raise concerns relating to the Code.
A Code complaint should initially be raised with your line manager or someone else in your line management chain. If this is not appropriate, you can raise the matter with your employer’s '“Nominated Officer(s)'”, who advise staff on the Code.
You can refer your complaint to the Commission if you have taken the prescribed steps as outlined in your organisation’s ‘Raising a Concern’ policy and if you remain dissatisfied with the outcome.
Raising a concern with the Commission
The guidance below explains what you should do if you wish to raise a complaint, how we decide whether to accept your request for a complaint investigation, and how we will go about our investigation. Please review this guide before you bring your complaint to us.
If you would like to raise a complaint with the Commission please complete the form here.
This should then be sent via email to info@csc.gov.uk or via post to Civil Service Commission, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ.
