About your employee handbook
The purpose of this handbook is to give you information about Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) and what you can expect from us as your employer, and in turn what is expected of you, during your employment with us.
We value our reputation for putting equality and diversity at the heart of everything we do so you should always ensure you conduct yourself corresponding to the policies and procedures set out in this handbook. Detailed information on all the policies and procedures referred to in this
handbook can be found on our intranet. If you do not have access to the intranet please talk to your manager or contact The HR Service Desk to obtain a copy of the policies.
This employee handbook should be read alongside your contract of employment. The content within this handbook is non-contractual and may be subject to change as the council revises its policies. If there is any inconsistency between this guide and your contract of employment, the
terms of your contract of employment will take precedence.
Our values
The County Council’s values guide how each employee must approach their work and make decisions and how they must act towards each other, residents, partners, and suppliers.
The following values underpin the County Council’s culture and behaviour as an organisation:
- we improve Residents’ lives
- we work with Integrity
- we act Sustainably
- we champion Equality and Fairness
‘We RISE to the challenge’ is the overarching message at the heart of our four values, connecting them together and helping to make them memorable.
People Strategy
Our People Strategy sets out our commitment to our colleagues’ development and wellbeing. To plan for now and look to the future each Directorate has a Strategic Workforce Plan which includes our people priorities. These workforce plans will have a strong focus on the wellbeing of our people along with ensuring that equality, diversity, and inclusion are embedded into everything we do.
Equality and diversity
We are committed to achieving diversity and equality of opportunity both as a large employer and as a provider of services to the people of Hertfordshire. We strive to incorporate equality and diversity into everything we do, so it is an integral part of our business, and not an ‘add on’.
We recognise that in our society, groups and individuals continue to be unfairly discriminated against and we acknowledge our responsibilities to actively promote equality and combat discrimination.
All members of the community and other employees have a right to be treated with fairness and equity; therefore you should ensure that any policies relating to equality and diversity are complied with in addition to the requirements of the law.
Our Putting People First Policy demonstrates our wholehearted commitment to continued action in tackling inequality and promoting diversity.
Our services
Hertfordshire is a buoyant, prosperous county with one of the strongest economies in the country. We have a national reputation for developing community involvement and being a large and progressive employer. We work closely with our partner organisations to provide a number of services across Hertfordshire.
Services for adults
We work closely with the health service, district councils and voluntary organisations to plan, commission and deliver prompt, effective social care services. Our staff provide and arrange support, care and protection for adults who can’t manage without help, putting the users of our services and their carers at the centre of all that we do. We believe that everyone has a right to live as independently as possible and our efforts are focussed on helping people to gain and maintain control over their own lives wherever possible.
Services for children
Our services place the needs of the child at the centre of our work. We provide an extensive range of services to support every stage of development from the birth of a child to life long learning for adults and deal with all aspects of child and family education and welfare.
Services for all the community
We are dedicated to protecting life and property. Fire-fighters and safety officers work to keep our communities safe by promoting fire safety and issuing fire safety advice and certificates to businesses as well as rescuing people from fires, accidents and tackling chemical spillages.
Trading Standards protects consumers and businesses by investigating unfair and illegal business practice and helps ensure Hertfordshire has safe, strong and healthy communities.
We also seek to make Hertfordshire a better place to live, work and travel around. We look after the roads and public rights of way, promote public transport, manage the county council transport fleet, dispose of household waste, conserve and enhance the countryside and oversee plans for transport, major housing projects and mineral extraction. In addition
we run a large scale warehouse and distribution operation as well as a procurement function.
Our libraries provide books, CDs, DVDs and new technologies through a network of libraries. We also store historic papers and photos to help residents and visitors investigate Hertfordshire’s past.
Support services
Our support services ensure strategic management of the organisation. Services include Finance, Human Resources, Property, Performance and Improvement and Technology.
We also bring together support services for our external and internal customers, and our work with partners. This includes Economic Development, Communications, Corporate Strategy, Customer Service Centre, Shared Internal Audit Service, Legal Services, Member Services, Scrutiny and Statutory Services.