We explain what a public official is, their ethics and characteristics. Also, what types of public officials exist.
What is a public official?
A public official is a person who works in the service of the State . He is appointed by a competent authority (in accordance with the legal system), to perform positions at different levels within the public powers and autonomous organizations.
All state sector employees are governed by “public administrative law” However, the same functions, tasks and rules do not correspond to ministers, secretaries of State, members of the cabinet of ministers or administrative employees. Each rank is governed by special contracts with a certain level of responsibilities and benefits.
The State has mechanisms to hire officials objectively (on merit or public competitions). Besides, usually offers greater benefits than the private sector (such as shorter hours or a greater number of vacation days) as an incentive so that the best trained and suitable personnel are interested in occupying this type of positions at the service of the State.
Public official and public employee
There are discrepancies about the meaning and differences that exist between the concepts: “public official” and “public employee.” In many cases, these two terms are used interchangeably and as synonyms. to refer to any individual who holds a position or role in the State.
However, in some countries or governments the concept “public official” is used only to refer to that individual who performs functions in high positions in public management, such as governors, ministers or mayors. And, on the contrary, The term “public employee” is used to define any State worker. (who may perform functions in a ministry, a public establishment, a superintendency or an administrative department) who performs various tasks and executes the orders of his superiors, the officials.
This idea comes from a current that determines that the official is the one responsible for making decisions and employees are the ones who take that decision into action. However, this idea is disputed since both officials and employees decide and execute each one in their sphere of influence.
Public official and public servant
The concept of “Public servant” includes all workers who are part of the State regardless of their position or responsibility, so every public official or employee is a public servant.
public servants They carry out tasks in the legislative, executive, administrative or judicial sphere or in institutions that depend on the State, such as hospitals, schools or security forces. In all cases, the public servant can be hired (permanently or temporarily) in exchange for remuneration and to provide a service of social utility on the basis of justice and above any individual interest.
Types of public officials
According to the way in which they are chosen and their hiring characteristics, there are four main types of public officials:
- The elected official . It is that person who assumes a position in public management after an election.
- The career civil servant . It is a person linked to the public administration by a fixed, permanent and paid employment relationship, under a statute regulated by administrative law. To access these positions, different methodologies are used depending on the position to be filled, such as contests or calls.
- The acting official . It is that person hired by the State in case of circumstantial or urgent need, generally to fill positions of career civil servants.
- The labor official . It is that person who, by virtue of an employment contract and according to the contracting modalities provided for in labor legislation, provides paid services to the public administration. These contracts can be for a defined or indefinite period.
- The temporary official . It is that person who performs special and specific functions (for example, advisory) and who is freely appointed and his dismissal is conditioned according to the services provided. Their remuneration comes from the budget planned and allocated for this type of positions.
The ethics of the public official
The public official provides its services to satisfy a collective demand of general interest and their work is subject to a special regime of public law. Their work implies responsibility and commitment to the community, which is why they must comply with certain ethical principles that depend, in turn, on the cultural characteristics of each country.
The general ethics of the public servant responds to two fundamental aspects:
- The moral character . The acts of a public official must conform to certain values and standards of conduct, which imply responsibility, compliance and honesty.
- The threat of sanctions . A public official will receive sanctions when he commits irregularities during the performance of his functions and duties.
The most common values related to public service are:
- Ensure the interests of the State, aimed at satisfying the general and public well-being over the individual.
- Be responsible for their actions during the performance of public office.
- Be honest in each of your public service tasks.
- Train and improve in your work area.
- Respect equal opportunities, without discriminating.
- Comply with and enforce the Constitution of your country.
- Know your country's code of standards and enforce it.
References
- “Public official” in RAE.
- “United Nations Convention against Corruption” in the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights.
- “Statute of public officials” in Organization of American States.
- “Public Employment Law” in the Government of Peru.
- “Administrative law of the economy: State agents” on Gordillo.com.
- “Establishing the Role, Values, and Profile of the Public Servant” on Courseware.edu.
