Key documents

• Article 9 of the Constitution of the ILO
  This fundamental text stresses that the responsibilities of the ILO officials shall be exclusively international in character, thus the prohibition for them to seek or receive instructions from any government or from any other authority external to the Organization.
• Standards of conduct for the international civil service (pdf, 114 Kb)
  This important text of the UN system, adopted in 2001 by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) in consultation with participating organizations and the representatives of the staff over a three-year period, revises and updates the Standards of Conduct in the International Civil Service prepared in 1954 by the International Civil Service Advisory Board. It was welcomed by the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution 56/244.

  The ICSC Framework for Human Resources Management, approved by the General Assembly in 2000, illustrates the overarching nature of the Standards of Conduct, noting that they are linked to all elements of the Framework, and states that "although organizations' internal cultures may vary, they face similar ethical challenges. Standards for ethical conduct promote common values and define the behaviour and performance expected of international civil servants."

  This new text aims at providing for the international civil service standards that, like those of 1954, become an indispensable part of the culture and heritage of the organizations and are of similarly enduring quality.

• Pinciples of Conduct for staff of the International labour Office (pdf, 125 Kb)

  This text, adopted by the Ethics Officer under his own responsibility, outlines and elaborates the standards and the principles and will assist staff in maintaining the highest standards of conduct.

  The principles are an important element in the framework of training programmes on ethical issues. They are not intended to replace the relevant formal texts.

For ILO staff only

• Chapter I of the ILO Staff Regulations
  These articles of the Staff Regulations reiterate the principles enshrined in Article 9 of the Constitution, developing them in more detail as regards, in particular, conduct, use of information, loyalty, honours and gifts, political office, privileges and immunities and duties.
• Circular on Rules and approval procedures governing outside activities, Series 6, No. 668 of 17 August 2007
  This text is a comprehensive and detailed statement, including principles and procedure with annexed guidelines, of the policy that the Director-General has decided to follow with regard to the application of the relevant rules in respect of outside activities.
• Circular on Harassment in the workplace, Series 6, No. 605 of 24 February 2000
  This circular reiterates, in particular, the policy of the Office, according to which harassment (including sexual harassment) in the workplace or in connection with work will not be tolerated.
• Circular on Inappropriate use of contracts in the Office, Series 6, No. 630 of 10 July 2002
  This circular aims to recall to managers and staff the main rules governing ST, SST and Ex-Col contracts; and to outline the measures which the Human Resources Development Department (HRD) has been asked to implement to enforce these rules.
• Circular on Sexual harassment policy and procedures Series 6, No. 543 (rev.1) of 29 September 2004
  This document, while reiterating that all forms of harassment are contrary to the high standards of conduct required of all officials under article 1.2 of the Staff Regulations, contains a definition of sexual harassment and establishes special procedures for the confidential and speedy investigation and handling of such cases.
• Circular on Ethics in the office, Series 6, No. 662 of 26 April 2006.
  This is the text establishing the Ethics Office, following a decision of the Director-General, aimed to foster within the ILO a culture of integrity and high ethical standards.

  Under this Circular, apart from the creation of the Ethics Office, a copy of the Standards of Conduct for the International Civil Service has been issued to each official with a request to sign a statement confirming that they have read and agree to observe these standards and a requirement has been established for the periodic disclosure of interests by all officials.

• Circular on Employment and other types of contracts with close relatives of ILO officials, Series 6, No. 666 of 4 April 2007
  This text aims to establish a framework and set down uniform and transparent rules related to the recruitment and employment and issuing of other types of contracts, or both, to engage the services of close relatives of officials. These rules aim in particular to avoid any risk or perception of favoritism or nepotism, and to ensure compliance with appropriate internal controls while ensuring respect for the principle of nondiscrimination.
• Circular on Register of financial interests, Series 6, No. 667 of 27 April 2007
  This circular introduces a requirement to complete a Register of Financial Interests is being for senior officials (D-1 and above) and other officials who are in particular sensitive positions or are designated by the Director-General.
• Circular on Anti-fraud policy, Series 1, No. 627 of 19 September 2007
  This document reiterates that the ILO is committed to preventing fraud and dishonesty, for which it has zero tolerance, and to actively promoting an anti-fraud culture.
• Financial Rules of the ILO