Background:
Recently, client satisfaction surveys carried out by several government departments have identified an issue that Treasury Board has determined needs to be addressed.
Lack of initiative, creativity and risk taking have been identified in these surveys as a source of dissatisfaction by members of the public receiving services from public servants (survey results available from Treasury Board on request).
The Personnel Policy Section of Treasury Board (TB) has therefore issued the following guidelines.
Guidelines:
- Initiative, creativity and risk taking are valuable qualities sought after in job competitions and as such they should be displayed by candidates both before and after they are staffed into a position. Employees and Supervisors are reminded that these qualities should be evaluated as part of the annual appraisal of every individual in regard to the carrying out of the duties of the position they occupy (See new TB standard annual appraisal form 1341).
- Employees are encouraged to make use of social media in communicating with the public and promoting awareness and understanding of the programs they are responsible for (see TB special issue of 25 point guideline for use of Social Media). Successful social media initiatives will be recognized in annual appraisals. Employees are reminded that all such initiatives must have the approval of their supervisors and their Departmental Division of Communications. Note: Unapproved actions or those which cause embarrassment to the government are subject to sanction.
- Employees are encouraged to think outside the box, to come up with actions and solutions that have never been tried before. Where successful, such measures will be highly rated in annual appraisals. It is recommended that such measures be approved by the supervisor before being implemented. A special request for taking “outside the box” initiatives has been prepared (see TB form 1342) and should be filled out with the requisite approvals before actions are taken. Note: Unapproved actions are subject to disciplinary action. Any measures which result in embarrassment to the government are grounds for penalty or dismissal.
- Employees are encouraged to respond sympathetically to members of the public who fall outside the guidelines because of misunderstandings about deadlines or small discrepancies with minimum requirements. All such actions should be reported to the supervisor at the end of the week. Note: No action is permitted which give the impression of favoritism or which derogate from the strict application of rules, regulations and laws. Any employee who takes such forbidden actions, or whose actions cause embarrassment to the government, is subject to sanction or dismissal.
- Studies have shown that creativity is increased when individuals stop working on specific problems and let themselves get in touch with their unconscious, either through meditation, reflection or dreaming. Employees are encouraged to take brief work breaks, preferably over the lunch hour or when taking other breaks during the day. For this purpose, walks in the park, simple silence, or power napping at the desk is encouraged. Permission for such actions must be obtained from the supervisor. Note: Any such actions undertaken without permission are subject to sanction. A weekly report on how such actions improved creativity must be submitted to the supervisor who will review it and forward it to Treasury Board (see TB reporting form 1343).
These guidelines will enter into effect in 6 months after the Personnel Policy Division has provided training sessions to the Personnel managers in every department. For information on the scheduling of training sessions in your department, contact your Departmental Personnel Division.
For all other questions, feel free to check our website or to use our automated phone service at 613-827-8537 or 613-TBRULES.
Rubin Friedman
Head of Tongue in Cheek Services
