A Labor MP says public servants are wrongly being warned off joining the ALP.

Andrew Leigh, the Labor member for Fenner, has written to public service commissioner Peter Woolcott to complain about what he says are both implicit and explicit warnings to workers. 

Mr Leigh claims employees in some Commonwealth agencies have been told not to seek internal offices in the ALP, such as policy committee coordinators or other roles. 

He pointed out in his letter that the advice goes against the guidance in public service's code of conduct. 

The code allows Commonwealth bureaucrats to participate in political activities “as part of normal community affairs”, including joining, or holding office in, political parties.

Mr Woolcott has responded, saying being a member of a political party was not, in and of itself, inconsistent with public servants' obligations.

However, Mr Woolcott said that agencies themselves can consider whether and how any perception of political leaning could be mitigated.