IN THE NAME OF ALLAH

THE MOST GRACIOUS, THE MOST MERCIFUL

THE RECORD OF
EMPLOYMENT BEHAVIOR RULES
AND PUBLIC SERVICE ETHICS

From the sayings of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman Bin
Abdul-Aziz:
This country has practiced ever since the days of the founding king, may Allah
bestow his mercy upon him the policy of the open door, which his sons have
maintained as a ruling strategy in the Kingdom. These councils have become an
honest representation of the relationship between the rulers and the citizens, a
venue for receiving suggestions and complaints, and a way of recognizing the
problems of citizens in order to solve them, depicting the needs of people and
looking into their lives.
I have determined to continue my work according to the basics on which this
blessed country has been founded ever since its unification, among which are
upholding the Islamic sharia, sustaining the countrys unity, maintaining its
security and stability, continuing the construction, and completing what my
predecessors may Allah bestow his mercy upon them have started. All is
achieved by seeking balanced, integrated and comprehensive development in the
various regions of the Kingdom, justice for all citizens, and providing them with
space to realize their aspirations and hopes in the framework of the countrys
vision and procedures.
I have emphatically requested from all officials to double their efforts in making
things easier for citizens, and striving to provide them with good life. This is the
least expected from them, and I will not settle for less. In this regard, I address the
ministers and officials wherever they are telling them that we are serving the
citizens, who are the focus of our concern. Therefore, I have instructed the revision
of the observation bodies systems in order to reinforce their specialty, enhance
their execution of their duties and responsibilities, uproot corruption, preserve
public money and guarantee the accountability of the delinquent.

INTRODUCTION
Preparing the Record of Employment Behavior and Public Service Ethics emphasizes the values
of civil service, promotes quality, develops performance and serves citizens.
The Record of Employment Behavior and Public Service Ethics is considered a general
framework that every public servant must abide by and work by. It sheds light on the criteria,
ethics and values that the public servant should uphold throughout executing his/her duties, and
it dictates rules that Allah willing would effectively contribute in uplifting the quality of
public service.
This Record constitutes a necessity for civil service employees, which they need to apply at all
times. Each public servant is supplied with a copy thereof to read and work by.
The employees will have the chance to get any clarifications they need about this Record in all
ways possible, whether through the website of the Ministry of Civil Service or the training
courses held in this regard. Breaching the rules mentioned in this Record is deemed a violation of
the employment duties; this would incur disciplinary procedures on the violating employee as
per the regulations which the Record is based on.
It is worth mentioning that this Record includes the general comprehensive principles and it may
not be exhaustive of all the criteria and rules of all the countrys bodies. Thus, other rules and
criteria may need to be added to suit the special conditions of those bodies which have a special
employment or professional nature.
And Allah Is Our Guide to the Righteous Path,

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTORY RULES
DEFINITIONS

Article One:
For the purposes of this Record, the definitions intended for the following expressions are
clarified next to each one:
1. The Record: the Record of Employment Behavior and Public Service Ethics.
2. The Public Service: the civil duties and specialties carried out by a public servant for a
public service during which he/she is subject to a superior authority within the
administrative hierarchy.
3. The Public Servant: anyone who occupies a civil job in the country regardless of the
nature of the job or the job title.
4. The Employment Behavior and the Public Service Ethics: the integrity, honesty and
objectivity of the public servant who seeks the execution of his duties in order to realize
the objectives of his employing party within his/her jurisdiction.
5. Behavior Rules: the basics on which the behavior of the public servant is based.
6. Integrity: the personal behavior which encompasses objectivity, impartiality, justice,
suspicion avoidance, honesty, and avoiding authority or post exploitation for personal
gains.
7. Transparency: clarity in providing the information and procedures for the employees and
citizens.
8. Conflict of Interest: a case where the personal interest of an employee, or any other,
would affect the employees objectivity or impartiality in making a decision or voicing
an opinion related to his work, whether this interest is physical or psychological, direct
or indirect, existing or expected.

BASICS AND OBJECTIVES

Article Two:
The Islamic morals and ethics are the basic source of the public servants behavior.
Article Three:
The Record seeks the following:
1. Developing the sense of responsibility in the public servant.
2. Spreading the professional and ethical values and principles among public servants,
reinforcing them and abiding by them.
3. Reinforcing the trust of citizens in the services provided by the country, and fighting all
forms of corruption.
4. Raising the public servants awareness of the importance of the role he/she plays, and the
ethical framework within which he/she works.
5. Reinforcing the professional and ethical values in the public servants relationship with
his superiors, inferiors, colleagues and service recipients.

APPLICABILITY, RESPONSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY

Article Four:
The rules of this Record are applicable on all the civilian employees working for the state,
including the employees of the public establishments and commissions, and the employees and
workers under different clauses, with the exception of those who are issued special employment
behavior records as per the related regulations.
Article Five:
Every public servant is responsible for his/her actions and the smoothness of work within his/her
specialty.
Article Six:
Violating the rules of this Record renders the public servant accountable, and disciplinary and
penal procedures may be practiced on him/her as per the regulations.

CHAPTER TWO
DUTIES OF THE PUBLIC SERVANT
GENERAL DUTIES
Article Seven:
The public servant has to observe the following:
1. Exalting himself/herself from whatever may affect the integrity of his/her job, whether
inside or outside the workplace.
2. Allocating the time of work for executing his/her jobs duties, and working outside
working hours whenever he/she is requested to as per the general interest.
3. Carrying out the orders of his/her superiors accurately and honestly within the limits of
regulations and instructions.
4. Performing the duties of his/her job and the tasks assigned to him/her in an active and
efficient manner, bearing in mind honesty, integrity, professional accuracy and
impartiality.
5. Serving the objectives and intentions of the party he/she works for, and realizing none
other than the general interest.
6. Completing transactions, especially those originating from the observation parties, with
the required speed and accuracy, and within jurisdiction.
7. Making sure to learn and understand the regulations, bylaws and instructions concerned
with his/her work, and applying them without any breach, violation or negligence.
8. Developing his/her knowledge and skills to raise his/her efficiency and the vitality of
his/her professional capacities through continuous training.
9. Abiding by the commendable moral values.
10. Devotion and loyalty for the country.
11. Conserving the mission of his employment party and reinforcing the general publics
trust therein.
12. Conserving the safety of the workplace.
13. Observing objectivity in his actions, and working with impartiality.
14. Bearing the responsibilities of the nature of his/her work, and making the decisions
required.
15. Keeping a good appearance in a way that suits the requirements of his/her job, and does
not contradict the customs and traditions.
16. Having integrity in any official investigation or law suit he/she participates in, and
testifying in matters related to his/her duties whenever he/she is needed to.
17. Taking necessary procedures to guarantee the secrecy of the personal information of
others, and protecting them in order not to lose them, access them, use them, modify
them or expose them without proper permission from the superiors.

THE DUTIES OF THE PUBLIC SERVANT TOWARDS THE GENERAL

PUBLIC
Article Eight:
While dealing with the general public, the public servant has to observe the following:
1. Respecting the rights and interests of others without any exceptions, and dealing with the
general public with respect, eloquence, intelligence, impartiality, objectivity, non-bias
and without discrimination.
2. Seeking the trust of the public through integrity, quick response and fine behavior in all
his/her work as per the regulations and instructions.
3. Answering the queries of the public, and completing their transactions accurately,
objectively and quickly.
4. Exhibiting care and gentleness in dealing with the public, especially those with special
needs, the elderly and women, and providing help when needed.
5. Handling the documents and personal information of the public with the utmost
discretion as per the regulations and instructions.
6. Abstaining from any action that may negatively affect the trust of the public in the public
service.

THE DUTIES OF THE PUBLIC SERVANT TOWARDS HIS/HER SUPERIORS

Article Nine:
While dealing with his/her superiors, the public servant has to observe the following:
1. Carrying out the orders of his/her superiors according to the administrative hierarchy. In
case these orders violate the regulations and instructions in effect, he/she has to inform
his/her superior in writing.
2. Dealing with superiors with respect and providing them with counseling and experience
with the utmost objectivity and honesty in order to serve the work interest.

THE DUTIES OF THE PUBLIC SERVANT TOWARDS HIS/HER COLLEAGUES

Article Ten:
While dealing with his/her colleagues, the public servant has to observe the following:

1. Dealing with his/her colleagues with respect, eloquence and honesty, keeping a healthy
relationship with them that avoids discrimination, respecting their privacy and never
using any information related to their private lives in harming them.
2. Cooperating with his/her colleagues, sharing his/her opinions with them professionally
and objectively, and helping them as much as possible in order to solve the problems
faced in their line of work.

THE DUTIES OF A PUBLIC SERVANT TOWARDS HIS/HER INFERIORS

Article Eleven:
While dealing with his/her inferiors, the public servant has to observe the following:
1. Setting an example for his/her inferiors regarding commitment to the regulations and
instructions.
2. Developing the capabilities of his/her inferiors and motivating them to improve their
performance through training and other means.
3. Passing knowledge and experience on to the inferiors and encouraging them to increase
information sharing.
4. Supervising the inferiors, following up their work, evaluating their work objectively and
impartially, holding the delinquent accountable and providing the inferiors with chances
of training and development as per the related regulations and instructions.
5. Respecting the rights of inferiors and dealing with them without bias or discrimination.
6. Using the written form of instruction and direction with inferiors as much as possible.

CHAPTER THREE
FORBIDDEN ACTIONS
GENERAL FORBIDDEN ACTIONS
Article Twelve:
A public servant is forbidden from the following:
1. Abusing authority.
2. Exploitation of power.
3. Accepting, demanding bribe or adopting any method of the ones listed in the system of
fighting bribe.
4. Forgery.
5. Engaging in trade.

6. Participating in establishing companies, accepting the membership of their administrative

boards or working for them unless appointed by the government.
7. Having his/her job and practicing another without the proper permission as per the
system.
8. Obstructing work, participating in strikes or instigating either one.
9. Committing any action or behavior that violates the values, customs or traditions of
society.
10. Accepting favoritism or intermediary in executing the duties and responsibilities of work,
which will negatively affect the general publics trust in public service.
11. Participating in group complaints or filing malicious complaints against certain people or
parties.
12. Collecting documents, samples or personal information about anyone unless that is
governed by a regulatory framework and within the necessary requirements of work.

FORBIDDEN ACTIONS REGARDING INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTS

Article Thirteen:
A public servant is forbidden from the following:
1. Disclosing classified information or documents that are important, secretive or private
which he/she has obtained or looked into due to his/her job even after his/her service is
expired unless such a disclosure is allowed by the system.
2. Making statements to the media, or social media, which involve information or comments
about topics that are still under study or investigation by his/her employing party without
the proper written permission thereof.
3. Criticizing or blaming the government through any internal or external media.
4. Publishing, issuing or signing any data or speeches that oppose the policies of the country
or any of its political systems.

FORBIDDEN ACTIONS REGARDING PUBLIC MONEY

Article Fourteen:
A public servant is forbidden from the following:
1. Embezzlement of public money, squandering it, negligence in dealing with it or making
illegal actions with it.
2. Exploiting the interest of the country for personal gains or being careless about any of the
countrys rights.

3. Keeping any property that belongs to the employing party without submitting it after its
purpose has been served.
4. Using country property obtained due to the job for personal interest or the interest of any
other unless the system allows it.

FORBIDEN ACTIONS REGARDING PRESENTS AND PRIVILEGES

Article Fifteen:
A public servant is forbidden from the following:
1. Accepting presents, services or privileges he/she is offered directly or indirectly that may
directly or indirectly affect his/her integrity in executing his/her job, or may affect his/her
decisions to make a certain action or not.
2. Accepting any honors, decorations, presents or awards from any external government
without official approval.
3. Accepting any special facilitation or discounts on personal purchases from suppliers who
have official dealings with his/her employing party.
4. Using any information obtained through the job in getting any service or special
treatment from any party.

CHAPTER FOUR
THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF AN EMPLOYEE REGARDING THE USE
OF TECHNOLOGY
USING TECHNOLOGICAL DEVICES
Article Sixteen:
A public servant who has been supplied with a computer, a fax machine or any other form of
technology, has to observe the following:
1. Taking all precautions to keep it safe.
2. Never download any material without referring to the concerned administration.
3. Minimizing the use of these machines and making sure to shut them down before leaving
the workplace.
4. Protecting his/her password and the secretive information saved in the device he/she uses,
and never disclose it.
5. Using the device for the purposes of work only.

6. Never using the device to access the accounts of others to obtain private or public
information unless it is for the purposes of work and only by authorized personnel.

DEALING WITH THE INTERNET

Article Seventeen:
A public servant who has Internet access has to observe the following:
1. Using the Internet only for the purposes of work, and the development of his/her
capabilities and skills which are related to the nature of work.
2. Being committed to the conditions and requirements of the intellectual property rights of
the files and programs used, and being aware of the licensing conditions of their use.
3. Immediately notifying the administration when noticing any unusual matter while using
the Internet.
4. Never downloading any texts or pictures that contain immoral material or any illegal
activity.
5. Never downloading files that are not directly related to the nature of work such as video
files or multi-media files.
6. Never using the web to access other webs or any illegal material.

DEALING WITH THE ELECTRONIC MAIL

Article Eighteen:
A public servant who is assigned an email has to observe the following:
1. Never using this email to write and distribute emails not related to his/her work.
2. Never opening any email originating from an unknown or unexpected source, never
resending it, never opening or downloading any file whose origin is suspicious unless this
is coordinated with the concerned administration.
3. Never objecting to the surveillance practiced on his/her email address by his/her
employing party through authorized personnel.

CHAPTER FIVE
CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND FIGHTING CORRUPTION
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Article Nineteen:
1. An employee must write to the administration specified by his/her employing party about
any existing or expected case of conflict of interest before making a decision or voicing
an opinion regarding the case.
2. An employee must not participate in any decision that directly or indirectly affects the
awarding of a contract where a relative of his/hers is competing for.
3. The cases of conflict of interest inconclusively include:
Having interest between the employee and the contracted party, or the party that has
started taking the steps of gaining a contract with his/her employing party as long as
the employee has an existing or expected role in that contract awarding.
Having a kinship up to the fourth degree between the employee and a person
applying for a job in the employees employing party as long as employment
depends on a decision or an opinion of the public servant.

FIGHTING CORRUPTION
Article Twenty:
In order to make an effort in fighting corruption, an employee has to observe the following:
1. Notifying his/her superior in written form about any violation of the instructions in effect
that he/she looks into through his/her work.
2. Notifying the concerned parties about any corruption that came to his/her awareness
during his/her work.
3. Cooperating with the concerned parties in the administrative, financial and criminal
investigations.
4. Immediately informing his/her superior in case he/she is offered a bribe. The superior has
to take the proper procedure, prepare a report about the case and notify the concerned
parties.

CHAPTER SIX
THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE PUBLIC PARTY TOWARDS THE PUBLIC SERVANT
Article Twenty-one:
The public party has to do the following:
1. Posting this Record on its website, introducing it to the employees and informing them
that they have to abide by it.
2. Providing the employees with a safe and healthy work environment that meets the basic
requirements of executing their work.
3. Encouraging employees to have the initiative and be innovative, and providing them with
chances to make suggestions related to the improvement of services and development of
work, in an environment governed by trust and mutual understanding.
4. Applying the related regulations, bylaws and decisions justly and without discrimination.

CLOSING RULES
Article Twenty-two:
After a public servant is officially appointed, he/she has to read the regulations related to his/her
work, read this Record, understand it and be committed to all the rules mentioned therein that are
related to the duties and responsibilities of his/her job.
Article Twenty-three:
The Administration of Employees Affairs, or any party that executes its duties, has to spread the
awareness in the values of employment behavior and public service ethics, and provide all
administrations with copies of this Record.