Staff Handbook

Human Resources Contract of Employment Region: | Reference: SPC08

This policy will guide the relevant staff who recruit and induct new employees on the process to follow and the information that must be given prior to, and on commencement of, employment. It has been reviewed with minor content changes. References and links have been checked and remain current.

Capability Policy and Procedure

Human Resources Performance & Discipline Region: | Reference: SPP07

This policy is one of the main policies governing the employee and employer relationship and ‘capability’ is one of the potentially fair reasons for dismissal under the Employment Rights Act. There is a process to follow which ensures that the reason for a dismissal is fair and also that the fair reason for dismissal has been reached after following a fair process, both of which are key to ensure that there is no claim for unfair dismissal. This policy relates to issues of capability which are not linked to lack of capability due to ill health. For guidance on ill health capability, you should follow the Sickness Absence Policy and Procedure. Policy has been reviewed with change to 5.4 and 5.5 and in the Forms section.

Duty of Candour Policy and Procedure

Administration Registration & Compliance - Administration Region: | Reference: SAR38

The regulation became law in Scotland on 01/04/2018 and all staff need to know the process of identifying and reporting any incidents which may be reportable under the Act. This policy was reviewed with a new duty of candour checklist added, references and links checked and remain current.

Minimum Wage Policy and Procedure

Human Resources Contract of Employment Region: | Reference: SPC09

This policy is intended as guidance to employers about the issues to consider when determining if they are compliant with National Minimum Wage legislation. National Minimum Wage must be paid to all employees or workers that an employer engages, and a failure to do so can be both a criminal offence and also result in claims in the Employment Tribunal and/or the County Court. Employers should ensure that they read the policy fully and take on board all considerations. Employers should also note the imminent Supreme Court judgment due on the Royal Mencap Society v Tomlinson-Blake appeal which governs the payments of on call allowances. 

The policy has been amended to add further reading and to clarify some sections which may initially be more difficult to understand. These have been simplified as much as possible but this is a complex area and employers should take specific advice from their professional advisors if anything is unclear.

Whistleblowing Policy and Procedure

Human Resources Miscellaneous Region: | Reference: SPM11

This policy will inform staff on how to whistleblow and details how they will be supported should they wish to do so. Policy amended in the purpose section and 6.10 added, some custom fields added. References have been reviewed and updated.

Retirement Policy and Procedure

Human Resources Miscellaneous Region: | Reference: SPM05

This policy will support the process where employees are considering retirement. It has been reviewed with 2 template letters added to the ‘Forms’ section. References have been reviewed and updated.

Moonlighting Policy and Procedure

Human Resources Performance & Discipline Region: | Reference: SPP05

This policy governs the rules when an employee or worker is seeking work with a third-party employer. It ensures that there is a process for permission to be sought and granted for employees by employers and also makes workers aware of their obligation to ensure that their employer knows how many hours they may be working elsewhere. The policy outlines the obligations that an employer is subject to, to ensure that there is no breach of the Working Time Regulations and any Health and Safety legislation and/or guidance as well as ensuring a two-way dialogue is created to share the necessary information between both parties. The policy has been updated to simplify the wording and procedures and also to introduce the option of a trial period for private working so long as this is subject to the employer being fully aware and in control of this and the Key Facts section has been updated to take account of this. An additional useful form has been added to request details of work done by the

Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Policy and Procedure

Human Resources Recruitment, Induction and Training Region: | Reference: SPR08

Policy reviewed with significant changes to include information on spent and unspent convictions. References and links checked and remain current. Policy will support staff who are responsible for recruitment on the process to follow to ensure they comply with Disclosure Scotland.

Relationships at Work Policy and Procedure

Human Resources Miscellaneous Region: | Reference: SPM18

Relationships of this nature will be relatively common and it is important that they are properly managed. Procedural point added in 4.5, references and links checked and remain current.

Anti-Bullying Policy and Procedure

Human Resources Equality and Human Rights Region: | Reference: SPE05

This policy will guide management and staff on the process to follow if they suspect bullying or feel bullied. It has been reviewed with minimal change, references and links checked and remain current.