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HR guidance – new format

This week HR Guidance has been re-launched in a new format. The presentation is designed to be more user friendly and easier to access. This new format has been designed following input from many of you who complained that the presentation of the original guidance was unclear and difficult to access. Dominic McFadden and Steve Ion were involved in discussions on this issue.

PCS made it clear to HMRC that, in carrying out this work, the actual policies and the principles contained within them must not be changed without further discussion with the TUS.

Main features

A presentation was held last week for the TUS, which we attended, which demonstrated how the new system works. At that time we made a number of suggestions for improvement and these are being considered.

We were advised that:

  • The Guidance had not been re-written just presented in a different more user friendly format.
     
  • The new format contains information on all roles within the HR chain, including the practical action to be taken by managers and the HRSC.
     
  • Although the HRLG numbers have been removed, each page has a unique HR number which can be used for reference purposes.
     
  • The external links to other agreements outside of HMRC still remain, for example Cabinet Office.
     
  • The headings and subjects included were determined by HR.
     
  • This first formatting has concentrated on HR policies only.

Previous guidance has been archived and links have been included for viewing this. In the future, all guidance when amended will be dated and the previous pages will be added to the archive. A link to the “change history” will also be available as well as links to the former Inland Revenue and Customs & Excise archived policies.

Specialist equipment

We have been assured that the new guidance is compliant with specialist equipment such as Jaws, Dragon etc. If any member has problems with this then they should advise their manager immediately.

Comment

These changes have been made to enable all of us to have easier access to the policies which impact on our working lives.

As you will appreciate I and my colleagues have not been able to review all the guidance. However, it must be stressed that this new format should not have changed any of these policies.

Members can comment on the new format and make suggestions for improvement through the intranet.

Comments on the new format can also be made through Branch Secretaries and to the three of us at:-

helenw@pcs.org.uk
cath.coldbeck@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk
alistair@pcs.org.uk

It would be helpful if any communications were headed “HMRC HR Guidance”. Comments and suggestions will be collated and passed on to HMRC and used is any future discussions.

Please note that it is not possible to enter into any individual correspondence on this subject.