Public servants regularly take decisions that require the application of rules, standards and professional judgement. In some cases, decisions involve competing values or obligations, giving rise to ethical dilemmas. This practical guide on ethical dilemmas sets out to help Egyptian public servants recognise such situations and navigate them with confidence, fairness and integrity. Designed for officials at all levels of government, the Guide was developed to help translate the principles and provisions of the national Code of Conduct and Ethics for the Public Service of Egypt (CCE) into everyday practical guidance. It explains what ethical dilemmas are, and why they arise in public administration. A simple six-question decision aid helps officials pause, identify the rules and values at stake, test possible options against fairness and the public interest, and document their reasoning. The Guide also includes realistic examples from daily administrative work – such as gifts, requests for preferential treatment, supplier offers, or pressure to make informal exceptions – along with practical tips for discussing dilemmas, escalating concerns and documenting difficult cases.
