State servants & elections

1. State servants & elections PSAY Conference 18 November 2013

2. Who is a state servant? • SSC Standards of Integrity & Conduct cover - public service departments, crown entities & DHBs, crown entity subsidiaries • Local government - each Council has their own policy, should be no less than SSC guidance • CPS Sector – check whether your organisation has a code of conduct or policy • www.ssc.govt.nz/code-organisations/

3. In general, state servants … • Have the same political rights and freedoms as other New Zealanders • Must maintain political neutrality to work with current and future governments • Must keep their jobs out of their politics and their politics out of their jobs • And Senior State servants and those who engage directly with Ministers should exercise careful judgment

4. So as a citizen you can … • Participate in and support union political activity • Be a member of a political party • Help with fundraising, assist with leaflet drops, take part in other forms of support • Stand for electionto Parliament • Note: PSA is not affiliated to any political party, but we are politically active and will be running an election campaign in 2014

5. But maintain political neutrality … • By being careful not to: • disclose information not in the public domain • criticise government policy which you have been professionally involved • talk about issues you are working on • present yourself as representing your agency – be clear that you speak in your private capacity • wear employer branded clothing • bring your employer into disrepute • including through social media

6. Use of agency resources • Agency premises - do not display party political material or carry out activities that could reasonably regarded as party political • Do not use agency resources in ways that could be seen as breaching the principle of political neutrality

7. Standing for election • Notify your employer of intention to seek selection as a candidate • Senior State servants – need to be particularly careful to manage the implications of their candidacies • Electoral Act 1993 - sets out which State servants are required to take leave from their positions if standing for Parliament • Those not covered by Electoral Act - discuss with employer whether it may be desirable to take leave to preserve political neutrality

8. Managing the boundaries • Check SSC Code of Conduct and guidance • Check your agency’s code of conduct and guidance • Inform your manager early • to avoid misunderstandings • ensure that the relationship between employment responsibilities and the freedom to exercise civil rights is understood • a courtesy, no surprises, not seeking permission • Check with a delegate, who can escalate if needed

9. What else? • What should a healthy state service in a democracy look like? • Especially the balance between the rights and responsibilities of being a citizen and a state servant? • What else to our members need to support this?

10. Useful links • SSC, Integrity and Conduct www.ssc.govt.nz/integrityandconduct • SSC (April 2010) Understanding the code of conduct – Guidance for State servants www.ssc.govt.nz/sites/all/files/UnderstandingtheCode-April2010.pdf • SSC (4 May 2010) Political Neutrality Guidance www.ssc.govt.nz/political-neutrality-guidance • SSC (May 2011) State Servants, Political Parties, and Elections: Guidance for the 2011 Election Period www.ssc.govt.nz/sites/all/files/Election-Guidance-2011.PDF

11. For a better working life New Zealand Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi