NEW Workshops with Professor Jennifer Lees-Marshment

Professor Jennifer Lees-Marshment from the University of Dundee will be delivering a series of workshops for Members’ staff this autumn.

These interactive sessions are designed to encourage peer learning through discussion and breakout groups. The workshops will provide participants with the opportunity to share experiences, explore key topics and issues, and learn from colleagues across Parliament. All sessions will take place virtually via Microsoft Teams.

Further details about each workshop can be found on the ACT sign-up pages.

2 September, 2 – 3.30 pm
The pathway to success: understanding the capabilities developed as a Members’ staffer
For all Members’ staff.

14 October, 2 – 3.30 pm
Practical approaches to managing workloads in Members’ offices
Recommended for those with management responsibilities.

4 November, , 2 – 3.30 pm
Giving impactful feedback in Members’ offices
Recommended for those with management responsibilities.

Jennifer has also developed a Political Staffer Resource Centre: see https://www.dundee.ac.uk/political-staffer-resource-centre. This online resource shares guidance on a wide range of topics related to managing political staff including managing workloads, giving impactful feedback, wellbeing strategies for Members’ offices, maintaining morale and motivation and recruiting and orientating new staff.

Teams Discussion Forums

Did you know that the Members’ Services Team runs discussion forums on Teams for Caseworkers and those who have a management role in an MP’s office?

The Members’ Office Management Forum has a weekly meeting at 11:00 every Wednesday which is full of useful information and gives the opportunity to raise queries with representatives from the Parliamentary Digital Service, the Parliamentary Security Department, the Human Resources team, the House of Commons Library, the Vote Office and more. There are weekly guest speakers, including regular visits from IPSA. It also has a text chat facility for when you have quick questions to ask.

The Caseworker Discussion Forum hosts a monthly All-Staff Q&A which you can sign up for on ACT, and the text chat is always active.

If you would like to be added to either (or both) of these forums, please email MMSST@parliament.uk from your parliamentary network account, stating which MP you work for and your role in the office.

CV Writing for Members’ Staff

House of Commons Training Session

Course Overview

Explain what makes an effective CV
Structure and format their CV for maximum impact
Eliminate unnecessary information and material
Project confidence and a positive mindset through the words used
Amend and update their own CV to meet a Job or Person Specification
Enable participants to take a structured approach to writing job applications and build confidence in applying for roles

Sessions available on:

4 March 2024 – 09:00 – 11:00
11 March 2024 – 09:00 – 11:00
21 March 2024 – 09:00 – 11:00
26 March 2024 – 09:30 – 11:30
5 April 2024 – 09:30 – 11:30
10 April 2024 – 13:30 – 15:30

To book, please go here: https://parliament.learningpool.com/course/view.php?id=2109

Digital right to work checks go live

Digital right to work checks were introduced during the coronavirus pandemic to enable employers to continue hiring when face-to-face checks were not possible. This allowed applicants to send ID documents to employers using email, video call, and apps.

From 1 October 2022, UK employers wishing to carry out digital checks must:

use identity service providers (IDSPs)
keep digital records for two years after an employee leaves employment

Many employers have moved to remote and hybrid working, so the option for secure, digital right to work checks is designed to help make the recruitment process more efficient.

What does this mean for you?

These changes mean that employers will not be allowed to verify ID documents using less secure methods like email or video call after 30 September.

How to check an applicant’s right to work

Right to work checks can be done in three ways:

checking the applicant’s original documents (in person)
using identity verification technology (IDVT) with an IDSP
a Home Office online right to work check

For further information please see the government’s guide on how to check a job applicant’s right to work and guide to right to work checks for employers.

Best Practice Guide on Whistleblowing – Guidance for MPs as Employers

Following the recent publication of the Best Practice Guide on Whistleblowing (guidance for MPs as employers). The Members’ HR Team would like to invite you to join them for one of the upcoming familiarisation sessions that will provide information that sets out the way in which employees may raise a whistleblowing concern and how those concerns should be addressed.

The session will cover:

What is considered as a whistleblowing concern
How a whistleblowing disclosure is raised
The legal protection and requirements under whistleblowing law
The practical steps that should be taken to ensure a fair and thorough investigation

30 June, 9.30am https://parliament.learningpool.com/mod/facetoface/view.php?id=5192

28 July, 9.30am https://parliament.learningpool.com/mod/facetoface/view.php?id=5193

Best Practice Guide to Grievances

Please note that links to the old Parliamentary intranet have been removed as of October 2023. Please use search on ParliNet to find relevant current details, if available.

https://parlinet.parliament.uk/house-of-commons-members-staff/

The House of Commons Members’ HR Service has produced a Best Practice Guide to Grievances.

This best practice guide aims to enable Members and their HR proxies to respond to and investigate grievances fairly, consistently and effectively.

You can find the guide here

This is one of a series of guides, and you can find the other guides here

Office Restructure familiarisation sessions

This session, aimed at MPs and their HR proxies, is run by the Members’ HR Advice Service to supplement the Best Practice Guide to Office Restructures.

The session will provide information about how to manage restructuring the office when you are considering reorganising your staffing resources to respond to changing priorities. It will cover employer responsibilities and provide practical advice about the best practice approach to managing the restructure process effectively. This will help you to ensure staff are treated fairly, properly consulted, and supported.

More information about the support available from the Members’ HR Advice Service will also be provided

See here for further information and booking:

17 June 2021 – 10:00 – 10:45 – https://parliament.learningpool.com/mod/facetoface/view.php?id=4438

1 July 2021 – 10:00 – 10:45 – https://parliament.learningpool.com/mod/facetoface/view.php?id=4439

Best Practice Guide to Recruitment and Selection

The House of Commons Members’ HR Service has produced a Best Practice Guide to Recruitment and Selection.

It provides practical advice on efficient and effective recruitment practices. The guide aims to support Members (and their Office Managers) with the tools to attract and recruit people with diverse backgrounds, skills and abilities.

Even if you’re not currently recruiting, w4mp recommends that MPs and Office Manager take the time to read this very useful document.

Please see here for further information: https://w4mp.org/w4mp/w4mp-guides/support-in-your-job/recruitment-and-selection-best-practice-guide/

w4mp

The site for everyone working for an MP

human resources