Article 11 of the Saudi Civil Service Law
المادة 11 من نظام الخدمة المدنية · الفصل الثاني: الواجبات
The article sets basic duties of the employee: refraining from anything that compromises the dignity of the post at work and outside it, courtesy toward others, and devoting working time to his duties and carrying out orders accurately.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يجب على الموظف خاصة :
أ - أن يترفع عن كل ما يخل بشرف الوظيفة والكرامة سواء كان ذلك في محل العمل أم خارجه.
ب - أن يراعي آداب اللباقة في تصرفاته مع الجمهور ورؤسائه وزملائه ومرؤوسيه.
ج - أن يخصص وقت العمل لأداء واجبات وظيفته وأن ينفذ الأوامر الصادرة إليه بدقة وأمانة في حدود النظم والتعليمات.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 11 explained in plain English
This article imposes three duties on an employee subject to the Civil Service Law, stated with the word "in particular", meaning they are among his most prominent duties:
- Refraining from anything that compromises the dignity of the post and of the person, whether at the workplace or outside it. The employee's conduct away from the workplace is also covered by this duty.
- Observing the rules of courtesy in his dealings with the public, his superiors, colleagues and subordinates; the duty covers everyone the employee deals with.
- Devoting working time to performing the duties of his post, and carrying out the orders issued to him accurately and faithfully, within the limits of the laws and instructions.
The restriction in the third duty is important: the employee's obligation to carry out orders is limited to being within the limits of the laws and instructions.
The article does not specify the penalty for breaching these duties. Article 12 complements these duties with a list of prohibitions, including abuse of official authority, exploitation of influence, accepting or requesting bribes, accepting gifts intended to entice from those with interests, and disclosing secrets. Article 10 also sets out the provisions on promotion and transfer.
Anyone accused of breaching one of these duties would do well to consult a lawyer specializing in administrative matters and civil service affairs.
Practical example
Turki works as a receptionist at a government body in Abha and deals with visitors every day. Under this article he must observe the rules of courtesy in dealing with them and with his superiors and colleagues, and devote working hours to performing his work.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 11 of the Saudi Civil Service Law
Is an employee's conduct outside work subject to accountability?
Article 11 provides that the employee must refrain from anything that compromises the dignity of the post and of the person, whether at the workplace or outside it.
Must an employee carry out every order from his superior?
The article requires orders to be carried out accurately and faithfully within the limits of the laws and instructions.
With whom must the employee observe the rules of courtesy?
With the public, his superiors, colleagues and subordinates, as the article provides.
More articles on Duties of the Public Employee
- Article 12
The article prohibits the employee from abusing authority, exploiting influence, bribery, accepting gifts intended to entice from those with interests, and disclosing job secrets even after leaving service.
يحظرعلى الموظف خاصة : أ - إساءة استعمال السلطة الوظيفية. ب - استغلال النفوذ. ج - قبول الرشوة أو طلبها بأي صورة من الصور المنصوص عليها في نظام مكافحة الرشوة. د -
- Article 13
The article prohibits the employee from engaging in trade and from establishing companies, sitting on their boards or working in them unless appointed by the government, and allows regulations to permit private-sector work outside working hours.
يجب على الموظف أن يمتنع عن : أ - الاشتغال بالتجارة بطريقة مباشرة أو غير مباشرة. ب - الاشتراك في تأ سيس الشركات أو قبول عضوية مجالس إدارتها أو أي عمل فيها أو في
- Article 14Amended (1438 AH)
The article bars the employee from combining his post with practicing another profession, and allows regulations issued by the Council of Ministers to permit liberal professions where the public interest requires it because of the need for their professions.
لا يجوز للموظف الجمع بين وظيفته وممارسة مهنة أخرى، على أنه يجوز وفق لائحة يصدرها مجلس الوزراء السماح بالاشتغال بالمهن الحرة لمن تقضي المصلحة العامة السماح لهم ب
- Article 15
The article provides that every employee is responsible for what he does, and for the proper conduct of work within the limits of his jurisdiction.
كل موظف مسؤول عما يصدر عنه ومسؤول عن حسن سير العمل في حدود إختصاصه.
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.