House of Commons Staff Handbook

The House of Commons Staff Handbook sets out essential information for staff and provides a guide to terms and conditions of employment.

Please note that intranet links contained within the Handbook will not be accessible to external readers.

Part 1 - Introduction to the House of Commons

• Chapter 1: Introduction to the House of Commons
• Chapter 2: The House of Commons as an employer
• Chapter 3: Your terms and conditions of service
• Chapter 4: Facilities for staff
• Chapter 5: Safety, Health and Wellbeing
• Chapter 6: Equality and Diversity
• Chapter 7: Consultation

Part 2 - Working for the House of Commons Service

• Chapter 8: Recruitment and Career Progression
• Chapter 9: Pay, allowances and benefits
• Chapter 10: Staff expenses

Part 3 - Attendance

• Chapter 11: Working hours and patterns, time recording and flexitime
• Chapter 12: Annual leave
• Chapter 13: Special leave
• Chapter 14: Maternity, adoption, paternity, additional paternity, parental leave and shared parental leave and benefits
• Chapter 15: Absence for medical reasons, sick pay, return to work and management of unsatisfactory attendance

Part 4 - Performance

• Chapter 16: Performance management and Learning and Development
• Chapter 17: Managing poor performance procedures (inefficiency procedures)

Part 5 - Conduct

• Chapter 18: Conduct, conflicts of interest, personal interests and business appointment rules
• Chapter 19: Whistleblowing, allegations of dishonesty at work and crisis of conscience
• Chapter 20: Disciplinary procedures
• Chapter 21: Grievances

Part 6 - Communications and information security

• Chapter 22: Parliamentary Digital Services
• Chapter 23: Handling Information
• Chapter 24: Records management
• Chapter 25: House-wide communications

Part 7 - Leaving the House

• Chapter 26: Resignation, retirement, or dismissal
• Chapter 27: House of Commons staff pension schemes