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 (pdf, 142KB)
• Chapter 2: The House of Commons as an employer (pdf, 142KB)
• Chapter 3: Your terms and conditions of service (pdf, 224KB)
• Chapter 4: Facilities for staff (pdf, 179KB)
• Chapter 5: Safety, Health and Wellbeing (pdf, 240KB)
• Chapter 6: Equality and Diversity (pdf, 215KB)
• Chapter 7: Consultation (pdf, 183KB)

Part 2 - Working for the House of Commons Service

• Chapter 8: Recruitment and Career Progression (pdf, 195KB)
• Chapter 9: Pay, allowances and benefits (pdf, 358KB)
• Chapter 10: Staff expenses (pdf, 159KB)

Part 3 - Attendance

• Chapter 11: Working hours and patterns, time recording and flexitime (pdf, 227KB)
• Chapter 12: Annual leave (pdf, 194KB)
• Chapter 13: Special leave (pdf, 194KB)
• Chapter 14: Maternity, adoption, paternity, additional paternity, parental leave and shared parental leave, neonatal leave and benefits (pdf, 281KB)
• Chapter 15: Absence for medical reasons, sick pay, return to work and management of unsatisfactory attendance (pdf, 310KB)

Part 4 - Performance

• Chapter 16: Performance management and Learning and Development (pdf, 219KB)
• Chapter 17: Managing poor performance procedures (pdf, 175KB)

Part 5 - Conduct

• Chapter 18: Conduct, conflicts of interest, personal interests and business appointment rules (pdf, 238KB)
• Chapter 19: Whistleblowing, allegations of dishonesty at work and crisis of conscience (pdf, 214KB)
• Chapter 20: Disciplinary procedures (pdf, 233KB)
• Chapter 21: Grievances (pdf, 203KB)

Part 6 - Communications and information security

• Chapter 22: Parliamentary Digital Services (pdf, 208KB)
• Chapter 23: Handling Information (pdf, 220KB)
• Chapter 24: Records management (pdf, 164KB)
• Chapter 25: House-wide communications (pdf, 161KB)

Part 7 - Leaving the House

• Chapter 26: Resignation, retirement, or dismissal (pdf, 199KB)
• Chapter 27: House of Commons staff pension schemes (pdf, 242KB)