If a government servant receives an oral instruction from a superior officer, the proper course of action is as follows:
- Oral instructions should be avoided as far as possible; directions from superiors are ordinarily expected to be in writing
- If oral instructions are given, the government servant should seek written confirmation of the instruction as early as practicable
- It is the duty of the superior officer to confirm the oral instruction in writing once requested by the subordinate
- If the oral instruction is from a Minister or their personal staff and aligns with rules and procedures, it should be reported to the Secretary or Head of the Department for information
- If the oral instruction conflicts with established norms, rules, or procedures, the government servant should seek further clear orders from the Secretary or Head of the Department, explicitly stating that the oral instructions are not in accordance with the rules
- Acting under oral instructions without written confirmation may expose the government servant to risks, so confirmation safeguards proper accountability and clarity
In summary, a government servant must not act solely on oral instructions without seeking and obtaining written confirmation promptly to ensure adherence to ethical and procedural standards in public service
