Thank you to everyone who has completed our survey on conditions for those working for MPs. We were able to use the data and information that you provided to make the case to the House of Commons Commission yesterday that it is essential that more support be provided to staff in Parliament and constituency offices.
Following that meeting, the Commission has announced a phone line to offer support and advice for staff, as set out below. As we have been campaigning for proper, modern conditions and HR support for years, I am pleased that this is a step in the right direction that I hope will help assist staff in their difficult jobs.
We will be involved in discussing the specifications of this new service to ensure that it is got right and, in the meantime, if you have not yet completed the survey, please do – as we have told the Commission that we will submit an expanded set of results in a week’s time, and obviously the larger it is, the more credible it becomes. You can complete the survey here https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BF6LP69.
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Confidential support service to be introduced
At their meeting on 8 April 2014 the House of Commons Commission agreed that additional support should be given to staff of MPs through a confidential telephone service.
Members’ staff in Westminster and their constituencies currently have little access to wellbeing services, including advice or support on employment issues. The Speaker and the Commission expressed support for the introduction of a telephone service to help Members’ staff identify where to go for guidance on areas such as employment conditions, bullying and harassment, personal problems or any other issues that might affect their work, health or general wellbeing. It is hoped that this new confidential phone line service will be operational later this month.
Members’ staff will be kept up to date on progress via information on the intranet and from staff organisations including ParliAgender, MAPSA and UNITE.