Human Resource officers cautioned against violating their profession’s ethics

DODOMA: THE Tanzanian government has cautioned Human Resource officers against spreading negative information about public servants who move between institutions, warning that such conduct undermines professionalism and fuels unnecessary mistrust within the public service.

Minister of State in the President’s Office (Public Service Management and Good Governance) Ridhiwani Kikwete, issued the warning today, June 1, 2026, in Dodoma when opening a working session for heads of administration and HR units across ministries, agencies, public institutions, regional secretariats and local government authorities.

Mr Kikwete revealed that there has been a growing trend where some HR officers contact their counterparts in receiving institutions and share damaging remarks about transferred employees, a practice he said violates public service ethics.

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“If you have had a disagreement with someone at your office, even if you were not directly involved, you call another HR officer and say that person is a big problem… how does that concern you?” the minister questioned.

The minister stressed that such behaviour creates unnecessary hostility between public institutions and urged officers to uphold professionalism and integrity instead of prolonging personal workplace disputes.

The Minister further directed HR officers to stop interfering with recruitment or deployment decisions in other institutions with the intention of frustrating or blocking employees, insisting that transfers are a legally protected right of public servants.

Kikwete also addressed complaints over delayed or denied transfer approvals, saying HR units must act as facilitators rather than barriers when employees seek relocation for valid reasons or official instructions.

“There are cases where you see clearly that you don’t just apply rules rigidly, but require basic human understanding,” he said.