The government has issued guidance to clarify the rules that civil service staff networks must follow.
Civil service union Prospect welcomed the formalisation of the rules, which described it as a "sensible" move.
CSW understands the update comes after departments and staff network members requested clarity on the policy around staff networks, and that these discussions began under the previous government.
In a press release announcing that the guidance had been issued to civil service networks, the Cabinet Office said ministers and civil service leaders “have been concerned by recent reports of inappropriate events being conducted by some networks in the civil service”.
It said the guidance was issued so that all networks “have a better understanding of their obligations under the civil service code, ensuring they can continue to operate effectively, and fulfil their intended purpose”.
Nick Thomas-Symonds, the minister for the Cabinet Office, said: “We are taking action to prevent inappropriate uses of networks in the civil service.
“While the vast majority of networks and their events are run within the rules, this new guidance delivers clarity. It will ensure all network members and leaders are aware of the need to remain impartial at all times and fulfil the expected behaviours set out in the civil service code.”
The guidance says all events must be signed off by a senior civil servant before preparations begin, and makes clear that events should always take place outside working hours, unless they directly benefit the organisation, such as learning and development. In these instances, sign-off from an individual's line manager is required to attend the event.
The rules also re-confirm that all networks must remain impartial at all times and must not attempt to influence government policy in any way – as set out in the civil service code. Network activity can be suspended or ceased if networks do not comply with the new rules. In a recent case, the Civil Service Muslim Network had its activities suspended by the previous Conservative government while an investigation was undertaken into claims of "political activism". However, the probe found the network had "no case to answer".
The Cabinet Office said the guidance also provides clarity for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion networks on “the need to promote all view points equally, and ensure their role – to promote equality and inclusion in the civil service for everyone – is not lost in pursuit of a particular issue”.
Steve Thomas, deputy general secretary at Prospect, the union for specialist civil servants, said:“Formalising new rules around staff networks is a sensible step and will add clarity around the civil service code.
“It is important however that this does not represent a weakening of the government’s commitment to the importance of EDI and we will be working with the Cabinet Office to ensure this does not happen.”
The news was first reported yesterday by The Telegraph before a press release was issued more widely and on GOV.UK this morning.
One civil service union source, who did not want to be identified, raised concerns about the approach, saying "work to mend the relationship between civil servants and ministers, which deteriorated so badly under the last government, is undone when policy developments are briefed exclusively to media which have a long history of attacking the civil service".
"It risks staff feeling under attack at a time when once again they are being asked to do more with less," they said.