Civil servants can have second job, but no central record kept of what they do

Rules governing second jobs for those in the public sector have been around in Guernsey for many years.

They have come to the fore with the row and eventual resignation of Government of Jersey chief executive Charlie Parker for taking a non-executive directorship with a UK property fund, and now concerns about a senior UK civil servant taking an advisory role at collapsed financial services firm Greensill while still working for the government.

A States of Guernsey spokesman confirmed that the requirements for civil servants with regard to private work and interests was covered within terms and conditions of employment.

The civil service code of conduct states that staff cannot undertake any business or take up any appointment without permission.

Generally, the States will give consent to requests from civil servants for permission to undertake private work provided that it does not conflict with the job and is not detrimental to their role.

A civil servant must also declare any other financial interests or activities undertaken for financial gain that may raise a possible conflict of interest.

However nobody keeps records.

‘It is not possible to provide a single figure for the number of civil servants who also undertake private work as it is managed within individual teams through their manager,’ the spokesman said.

‘Managers are advised to review any such agreements with their team members on an annual basis to ensure the criteria continue to be met.’