Strengthening a values based culture
A plan for integrating the APS Values into the way we work
Effective leadership Diverse workforce Capable organisations and workforce Employee conditions APS Values
Introduction
This guide is aimed at assisting agencies to integrate the APS Values into their organisational culture and
the day-to-day work of all their employees.
Why values are important
Well developed and defined organisational values can help employees to do their jobs well. By guiding
decision making and behaviour, values can underpin the wide range of interactions and professional
relationships employees have with others in their day-to-day work. Values also contribute to an
organisation’s strategic direction and can be highly motivating for employees.
Values stated in public documents also help to shape citizens’ expectations about the mission, vision and
daily activities of public sector organisations. According to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation
and Development (OECD), values form the foundation of public service and guide judgement about what
is proper and improper in serving public interest1.
If fully integrated, values have an immense capacity to shape the overall culture of the organisation2 and
provide it with core statements of ‘who we are’. In an organisation as disparate as the APS, they can
provide a set of unifying themes that recognise that no matter how different agencies are, and the kinds of
work in which staff are engaged, there are fundamental commonalities that bind the service in the way
work is approached and delivered to a variety of clients.
Finally, values can also reinforce an organisation’s professionalism. A distinguishing mark of a profession
is that it has a code of values, or ethics, which practitioners share and which guides the way in which
those professionals carry out their work.
The APS Values
The APS Values have been developed in consultation with the Australian community, APS employees and
agencies. They are set out in section 10 of the Public Service Act 1999 (the Act). All APS employees and
agency heads are required to uphold them. Agency heads and Senior Executive Service (SES) employees
are also required to promote them (sections 12 and 35(c) of the Act).
The Australian Public Service Commissioner’s Directions also provide that agency heads and SES
employees must take steps to integrate the APS Values into the agency’s culture and decision making
processes and consistently reflect the APS Values in their own behaviour (Directions 1.7 and 1.8).
1
OECD, Government at a Glance, Public Governance Committee, 2009
2
Dola, SL and Garcia, S 2000, ‘Managing by values in the next millennium—cultural redesign for organisational change’, Canadian Journal of Economics, vol 34, pp 18-35
Strengthening a values based culture A plan for integrating the APS Values into the way we work
A model for strengthening a values- based culture in
the APS
This model describes the APS Values and the organisational building blocks that support their integration
into everyday decisions and actions in the APS.
Agencies that have agency-specific values should ensure that these are consistent with the APS Values.
A plan for integrating the APS Values into the way we work
Building on existing practices and incorporating current research, this plan identifies the building blocks
for a values-based culture which is tailored for the APS. These are the foundations that need to be in place
to support a corporate culture where organisational values underpin decisions, actions and behaviours.
This in turn helps to achieve organisational objectives through integrity based high performance.
The plan describes the outcomes that we can expect for the APS as a whole when these building blocks are
embedded and enhance the confidence and trust of the Australian people in the public service.
The plan also identifies the outcomes that can be expected in individual agencies when these foundation
blocks are in place.
Strengthening a values based culture A plan for integrating the APS Values into the way we work
I CARE
Impartial
The APS is apolitical and provides the Government with advice that is frank, honest, timely and based on
the best available evidence.
Committed to Service
The APS is professional, objective, innovative and efficient, and works collaboratively to achieve the best
results for the Australian community and the Government.
Accountable
The APS is open and accountable to the Australian community under the law and within the framework of
Ministerial responsibility.
Respectful
The APS respects all people, including their rights and their heritage.
Ethical
The APS demonstrates leadership, is trustworthy, and acts with integrity, in all that it does.
How do we deliver on what governments and Australia expects? ...through our approach: how we work,
our guiding principles...we [the APS] should be united by our ethics...
Dr Ian Watt, Secretary, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
Evolving the culture of our organisation is core to delivering Defence capability. Strengthening a values
based culture by integrating the APS Values into the way we work is fundamental in building on
Defence’s Pathway to Change strateg y. It starts with individuals accepting responsibility for their own
behaviour, assisting others to live the culture and putting the onus on leaders to be exemplars of positive
and visible change at all times. The new APS Values clearly reflect this intent.
Mr Dennis Richardson, Secretary, Department of Defence
The APS Values help to shape our culture, behaviours and our approach to the work we do. At Finance
they are a cornerstone of our strategic plan and are reflected in our Finance behaviours and aspirations.
We draw on the principles embodied in the APS Values to guide how we conduct ourselves and how we
manage and deliver our services and advice. This means having the confidence to seek innovative ways to
produce better results and to drive positive change. Our commitment to the APS Values ensures we do
these things within a transparent and ethical framework.
Mr David Tune PSM, Secretary, Department of Finance and Deregulation
Our values are the fundamental building blocks for every Australian Public Service (APS) organisation.
They form the foundation for all core organisational activities—the basis of our strategic plans, how we
deliver services, how we ensure we are fiscally responsible, and how we manage and support our people.
The APS Values provide a real point of difference in us as an employer, and they set out what others can
expect from us.
Dr Jill Charker, Chief Executive Officer, ComSuper
Strengthening a values based culture A plan for integrating the APS Values into the way we work
Strengthening a values-based culture: A plan for integrating the APS Values into the way we work
APS Values
Committed to
Service
Impartial
The APS is apolitical and
provides the Government with
advice that is frank, honest,
timely and based on the best
available evidence
The APS is professional, objective,
innovative and efficient, and works
collaboratively to achieve the best
results for the Australian
community and the Government
Accountable
Respectful
Ethical
The APS is open and accountable
to the Australian community under
the law and within the framework
of Ministerial responsibility
The APS respects all people, including
their rights and their heritage
The APS demonstrates leadership, is
trustworthy, and acts with integrity, in all
that it does.
INTEGRATING THE APS VALUES INTO THE WAY WE WORK
The building blocks for a Values based
culture
What this means for the APS
What this means for the agency
1.1 The agency’s strategic plan and operational/business plans reflect the APS Values.
Commitment
1
The APS Values are the basis for
the way we do business
1.2 Agency communications with employees support and reinforce the APS Values.
1.3 On-boarding and other learning and development activities incorporate ‘how to live’ the APS Values, including how to
make good values-based decisions.
2.1 Leaders take a stewardship role and build the APS Values into the governance practices of their agency and wider APS.
2.2 Leaders build a culture of trust with employees and agency stakeholders and clients.
2
Leadership
Leaders integrate the Values into
their agency’s decision-making
processes and culture and
consistently reflect the Values in
their own behaviour.
2.3 Leaders model the APS Values, have the highest standards of behaviour and take sound, reliable, fair and ethical
decisions.
2.4 Leaders coach and guide others to take sound, reliable, fair and ethical decisions.
2.5 Leaders make clear that conduct consistent with the APS Values is expected and deal appropriately and effectively with
unacceptable behaviour.
2.6 Leaders guide employees in understanding the relevance of the APS Values to their day-to-day work.
3.1 Management practices support values–based decision making. The APS Values are reflected in management policies and
procedures, including employment policies.
Management
systems
3
The APS Values are integrated
into day-to-day operations.
3.2 Where judgement is required in decision making, guidance material appropriately reflects the APS Values.
3.3 Performance Management Frameworks take into account the way in which employees uphold the APS Values,
recognising that the Values provide the basis for how organisational goals are achieved, and the importance of appropriate
behaviours in the workplace.
3.4 Reward and recognition schemes reinforce and promote values-based behavior.
4.1 The integration of the APS Values into the agency is constantly assessed, including through staff and client surveys, and
lessons learnt are applied.
4.2 Areas of risk in upholding the APS Values are identified, evaluated and managed.
4
Assurance
Mechanisms are in place to
provide confidence that decisions
and actions in the APS are based
on the APS Values.
4.3 Unacceptable behaviour is addressed. Suspected breaches of the APS Code of Conduct are managed in a fair, timely
and systematic way.
4.4 Employees know how to report misconduct and are confident in doing so. Employees are aware of the statutory review of
action scheme.
4.5 Employees are aware of the Ethics Advisory Service and agency support processes.
4.6 Internal control systems, such as internal audit and fraud control, work effectively to identify behaviour inconsistent with
the APS Values.
4.7 Decision-making processes are transparent and open to appropriate scrutiny, supported by appropriate record-keeping
processes.
How to use this plan
Agencies can use this plan in two ways – as a checklist to gauge their progress in establishing a valuesbased culture, and as a plan for improving their embedding strategy.
In order to provide some assurance and accountability to an agency’s approach to embedding the APS
Values, the plan could also be used as an annual self assessment exercise that identifies action items.
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This guide includes:
A model for strengthening a values-based culture in the APS
The APS Values and the organisational building blocks that support their integration into everyday
decision making in the APS.
A plan for integrating the APS Values into the way we work
The organisational building blocks for a values-based culture, and the outcomes expected for the APS and
for individual agencies when these foundations are in place.
The building blocks must align with each other and the APS Values. Agency values, where they exist,
should be consistent with APS Values.
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Acknowledgements
The Australian Public Service Commission wishes to thank everyone who took the time to contribute their thoughts, ideas and feedback to the development of this strategy.
ISBN: 978-0-9871594-6-5
Strengthening a values based culture A plan for integrating the APS Values into the way we work