Main page
Page contents
1. Terms and conditions of employment
2. Mission statement
3. Human resources strategic vision
4. Employment code values
5. Principles of the employment code
6. To whom does the employment code apply?
7. Statement of terms and conditions of employment
8. Notification of changes
9. Categories of employees
10. Structure of the employment code
11. Postgraduate research students
12. Dignity and diversity at work
13. References to the RCUK SSC Ltd
1. Terms and conditions of employment
1.1 This employment code contains the terms and conditions of employment as determined by the Joint Negotiating and Consultative Committee (JNCC) of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and may be varied by the agreement of that committee.
1.2 The values at the heart of the employment code are derived from our human resources strategic vision, which has itself been derived from the BBSRC mission statement, as follows:
2. Mission statement
Our mission is to fund internationally competitive research, to provide training in the biosciences, to encourage opportunities for knowledge transfer and innovation and to engage the public and other stakeholders in dialogue on issues of scientific interest.
3. Human resources strategic vision
To support employees and students in the organisation and, where appropriate, the wider bioscience community to produce world-class science and innovation. BBSRC will do this by developing and promoting good HR practice for the recruitment and development of high quality employees and students, by effectively managing their performance and by providing appropriate rewards and flexible opportunities that allow individuals to manage their own development.
4. Employment code values
- People are our main resource and we aim to provide a framework for the flexibility to work towards their agreed goals
- We aim to attract, resource and retain highly capable, diverse and innovative people who wish to progress their careers by joining us in our pursuit of high-quality science
- We have systems to recognise the efforts and contributions made by our people at every level must adhere to the highest business, safety and scientific ethical standards
- Our stakeholders expect BBSRC’s activities to be of the highest quality and relevance. To achieve this, all our people will aim to meet, and where possible exceed, stakeholder needs
- We recognise that it is only through effective co-operation and communication that we can achieve our goals
- We believe that access to development opportunities and training are essential parts of ensuring the long-term success and sustainability of our science
5. Principles of the employment code
The employment code:
- presents a clear understanding of what BBSRC expects of employees and what employees can expect of BBSRC
- promotes consistency and equality in the way that employees are managed
- demonstrates BBSRC’s commitment to diversity
- supports an environment conducive to work and to your development
- promotes an organisation that cares for the health, attendance, well-being and safety of employees and visitors
6. To whom does the employment code apply?
The employment code applies to all those employed on BBSRC JNCC terms (BBSRC JNCC employees) – see appendix for the list of the relevant establishments.
7. Statement of terms and conditions of employment
Within two months of joining BBSRC all employees receive a statement providing information on the principal terms and conditions of employment which apply to them individually; however, the BBSRC employment code takes precedence over the individual statement.
8. Notification of changes
Employees will be sent written details of changes to their principal terms and conditions of employment which relate to them individually, except for superannuation (pension), which are normally notified through pension notes. Other changes to terms and conditions of employment will be notified to employees by local notices or advised as amendments to the employment code.
9. Categories of employees on BBSRC JNCC terms
The main categories of BBSRC JNCC employees are:
- employees of the BBSRC at research establishments sponsored by BBSRC in England, Wales and Scotland
- employees of governing bodies of research establishments sponsored by the BBSRC in England and Wales
- employees in The Operation Centre (‘TOC’)
- employees of BBSRC at the BBSRC Office in Swindon and at the BBSRC Bioscience IT Services (‘BITS’)
- employees of governing bodies of the Main Research Providers (MRPs) in Scotland, supported by Rural and Environment Science and Analytical Services (RESAS) of the Scottish Government.
10. Structure of the employment code
10.1 The employment code contains full details of the terms and conditions of employment referred to in individual statements with the exception of:
- full details of pay agreements. These details are available to employees from the Head of Operations or Head of Human Resources
- the full rules of the Research Councils’ Pension Scheme, which follows the rules of the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (PCSPS) by analogy. The full rules of the PCSPS are available to employees from the Head of Operations/Office equivalent
- local rules and regulations applying at a specific establishment
10.2 The employment code also contains additional regulations, procedures and policies and some explanatory material. Where a regulation, policy or procedure is applied it is binding upon employees.
11. Postgraduate research students
11.1 Postgraduate research students are not employees – that is, their study and training is not governed by an employment contract. However, students have a key role to play within the organisation, and can expect to be treated to the same high standards as employees. Students will also have many of the same obligations and duties in regard to their conduct.
11.2 For this reason, the employment code contains a section on the status of students at BBSRC. This provides a statement of the framework which establishments should use to inform their postgraduate training, and the rules and procedures they put in place for students. See section B2 for further information.
11.3 Please contact your local HR department if you require further advice on any of the contents of the employment code.
12. Dignity and diversity at work
Your employer strives to be an equal opportunity employer, and expects you to treat colleagues, and other people you come in to contact with at work with dignity and respect. You are personally responsible for ensuring that your behaviour does not have the effect of being discriminatory, irrespective of your intentions. You are also expected to:
- avoid unlawful discrimination and harassment
- actively promote equality of opportunity for all
- give consideration and respect to other people's opinions, circumstances and feelings
- challenge or report behaviour that is discriminatory
You must not harass, victimise or discriminate against anyone, on the grounds of their age, gender, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital status, religion or belief, disability, race, colour or ethnic/national origins. Any action of this nature will be considered a serious disciplinary offence, which could result in dismissal.
13. References to the RCUK SSC Ltd
There are references in the employment code to the RCUK SSC Ltd. The full registered name of this company is the Research Councils’ United Kingdom Shared Services Centre Limited.
Last updated 11/08/11
Amendment 132 - August 2011