Their Excellencies the Ministers:

This Circular provides information needed by all supervisors and managers and is issued in accordance with Civil Service Regulation No. 801 “Employees Training and Development” dated 1st December 1980.

The purpose of this Circular is to inform managers about the job induction and orientation program, for new government employees, both Bahrainis and non-Bahrainis. The objective of the program is to help them adjust and become fully productive as quickly as possible. Both the ministry where the employee is assigned, and the Civil Service Bureau (CSB) have equal hut separate responsibilities for the program.

JOB INDUCTION is the initial introduction of the new employee to his ministry and his job and is the responsibility of the ministry and the immediate supervisor where he will work. Within the first two days, the supervisor does the following

1. Explains and physically shows the employee the work center and his individual workplace (desk, workbench, etc.). Points out restroom facilities, supply or tool room , snackbar or other amenities, and supervisor’s office.

2. Explains tasks and responsibilities assigned to the employee. if a job description has been written, reviews it with the employee. Also explains work flow in the unit so that the employee understands how his work fits in with the work of other personnel.

3. Introduces new employee to other employees in the unit with a brief explanation of the work they do. If employee will deal with individuals outside the organization, explains the nature of the contacts and if possible, takes the employee to the outside individual and introduces him.

4. Explains working rules of the organization including work hours, lunch or rest breaks, emergency procedures for fire and safety, calling in sick, how and when paid, requesting leave, etc.

GENERAL ORIENTATION is a formal session conducted by the CSB to give new employees information about Government employment that will supplement and reinforce the job induction by the supervisor. The orientation session is conducted approximately once each month by CSB for all new employees in the General Schedule and up through Grade P-4 in the Professional schedule.

The CSB will maintain a continuing list of new employees and will notify ministries of the names and the time and place they should attend a general orientation session.

The General Orientation will cover the following:

Organization of the Government. This segment will acquaint new employees with the basic organization of the functions of government, emphasizing the great variety of jobs to the performed and how they are enter related in providing the required services to run the country.

System for Position Classification, Pay and Allowances. A non-technical explanation of the classification system; how jobs are graded, why position descriptions are important, and how salaries are determined for the various levels of difficulty. Overtime entitlement and rates, shift differentials, and special allowances are also explained.

Employee Obligations. This segment focuses on the responsibilities the employee assumes when he accepts a government job. He must adhere to assigned working hours, various rules and regulations, and use self-discipline in his conduct on and off the job. He is given a copy of the official standards of conduct a review is made of, the performance evaluation he will receive from his supervisor, and the formal discipline program applied when employees do not line up to their responsibilities.

Health, Safety and Fire Prevention. A general review of these programs pointing out the Government’s broad concern for the welfare of the employee. The employees will be advised of the specific programs in the various ministries to meet their individual problems and needs.

Benefits of working for the Government. A comprehensive discussion on the various categories of earned leave, training and self-development available, Incentive awards and Promotion Programs, and future security vestment through the Pension Fund for Bahrainis and social insurance for expatriates.

An employee’s introduction to the new environment of a government job is bewildering. The impressions he gains will have a continuing effect on his attitude and performance. If he thinks his supervisors and the CSB are really interested in him personally, he will respond by learning his job quickly and becoming a better long term employee. The money saved by the Government can be considerable.

Isa Bin All Al Khalifa
Head of Civil Service