Warning goes out to States staff about expressing opinions on GST
- States employees have been warned about expressing opinions on GST ahead of next week's debate
- Staff received reminders about code of conduct rules regarding political opinions and social media use, with potential disciplinary action for violations
- Some employees view the warning as an attempt to silence GST critics before the crucial States meeting
- The code requires staff to express comments 'with moderation' and avoid anything that would 'inhibit loyal and effective service' to the States
- The Policy & Resources tax reform package faces 21 amendments and one motion to delay the debate until finances are reviewed
States employees have been put on notice over what they say about GST ahead of the debate next week.
Staff have been given a reminder about passages in the code of conduct about expressing opinion on States and political issues and their social media use.
Breaking the code can lead to disciplinary action.
Some have seen this as an attempt to silence critics of GST.
Under the code, in a section on expression of opinion staff are told that "members of the States and the public must have confidence that an employee’s personal opinions do not cut across the discharge of their official duties”.
While the code says they may express their opinion publicly concerning States and political issues, there are caveats to that which many in the past have interpreted as meaning they cannot speak out in public.
They “must” take care to “express comments with moderation bearing in mind their position,” which includes their pay grade and closeness to the issue.
They must “not do or say anything that would inhibit or appear to inhibit loyal and effective service to the States of Guernsey”.
Being able to express an opinion also does not extend to “making public personal attacks on colleagues, States members or public officials”.
Policy & Resources proposed tax reform package faces 21 attempts to change it through amendments and one motion to delay the debate until a fresh report on the States finances and evidence the revenue service had fixed its backlog.
The States meeting begins on Wednesday.
Q&A
Q: Why were States employees sent a reminder about the code of conduct?
A: States employees were reminded about code of conduct rules regarding expressing opinions on States and political issues, specifically ahead of the GST debate next week. The reminder covered passages about expressing opinions on political matters and social media use, with warnings that breaking the code can lead to disciplinary action.
Q: What are the main restrictions in the code of conduct for States employees?
A: The code requires employees to express comments 'with moderation' bearing in mind their position and pay grade, not say anything that would 'inhibit or appear to inhibit loyal and effective service' to the States of Guernsey, and avoid making 'public personal attacks on colleagues, States members or public officials.' The code emphasizes that personal opinions must not cut across official duties.
Q: What challenges does the GST proposal face in the upcoming debate?
A: The Policy & Resources proposed tax reform package faces significant opposition, with 21 amendments attempting to change it and one motion seeking to delay the debate until a fresh report on States finances is produced and evidence shows the revenue service has fixed its backlog. The States meeting begins on Wednesday.
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