Have you looked at POST’s publications recently?

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POST provides balanced and accessible overviews of research from across the biological, physical and social sciences, and engineering and technology. It places the findings of this research in a policy context for Parliamentary use.

The best known format for these briefings are ‘POSTnotes’: four page summaries of public policy issues based on reviews of the research literature and interviews with stakeholders from across academia, industry, government and the third sector; they are peer reviewed by external experts. POSTnotes are often produced proactively, so that parliamentarians have advance knowledge of key issues before they reach the top of the political agenda.

Find out more here: https://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/offices/bicameral/post/publications/

House of Commons Library on BBC Westminster Hour

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As BBC Radio 4 puts it, ‘The House of Commons library is an indispensable part of life at Westminter conducting research for MPs and providing impartial briefs on everything from the environment and schools to Brexit’. They have given enormous support to w4mp over the years – and this lovely piece by reporter John Beesley is  an excellent tribute as they celebrate 200 years.

Listen here

 

Bullying and Harassment and Sexual Harassment support services

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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 Independent Complaints and Grievance Policy (ICGP) Programme was established to help ensure that Westminster, constituency offices and related locations are safe environments in which everyone can feel valued and respected.

Following the 19 July Commons vote on the proposals outlined in the ICGP delivery report, two new independent helpline services are now live. These services offer support and advice those who have experienced bullying and harassment and sexual harassment whilst on the Parliamentary Estate, in constituency offices or whilst undertaking parliamentary work.

These services are available to MPs and MPs’ staff and interns, as well as staff employed by or working for the House of Commons, Parliamentary Digital Service,  and other paid or unpaid staff, including those employed by external organisations who hold a parliamentary pass.

For full details see  https://w4mp.org/w4mp/w4mp-guides/harassment-involving-mps-and-staff/ or the Parliamentary Intranet pages.

Did you know that you can pay your trade union members directly from your salary?

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IPSA is reminding people that, for Members of Parliament, or MPs’ staff, who are members of a trade union, membership fees can usually be paid by salary deductions.

For those who would like to set up a salary deduction for union fees, please contact IPSA’s payroll team either by email payroll@theipsa.org.uk or by calling 020 7811 6400 and pressing option 2.

Not in a Trade Union? Why not have a look here: https://w4mp.org/library/researchguides/your-employment-status/staff-rights-and-representation/tgwuunite-parliamentary-branch/

New home for alt.guides

alt.guides
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Parliament is a serious place, and the Palace of Westminster and constituency offices are filled with hard-working, dedicated professionals engaged in the important business of running the country.  Yet even the most committed need time for rest and recuperation, space to kick back and unwind, and opportunities to take a sideways look at their workplace, employers and even their political masters.

For many years we’ve published a range of material  for staff who are looking for something less serious and rather more entertaining than the average guide to best practice.

Now they have their own home, along with an archive of our much-loved Hoby cartoons – over at http://alt.w4mp.org/

We hope you enjoy these guides as much as we do.