All employees have a contract which sets out the terms and conditions of their employment with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). Our policies and guidance documents supplement these terms and conditions and are developed in accordance with the human resources policy framework (PDF, 117KB).
The human resources delegation framework (PDF, 173KB) clarifies the appropriate authority for decision-making on HR matters within UKRI in line with our employment policies.
Most viewed policies
Starting and ending work
- Ending work (PDF, 255KB)
- Probation policy (PDF, 219KB)
- Recruitment
- Right to work in the UK – guidance for candidates
Working arrangements
Family leave
Pay, compensation and reward
Health and wellbeing
- Employee wellbeing (PDF, 49KB)
- Health promotion (PDF, 187KB)
- Managing bereavement in the workplace (PDF, 115KB)
- Sickness absence (PDF, 366KB)
- Supporting transgender employees in the workplace (PDF, 172KB)
Equality, diversity and inclusion
- Equality, diversity and inclusion (PDF, 112KB)
- Supporting transgender employees in the workplace (PDF, 172KB)
Performance and development
- Appraisal and personal development review (PDF, 115KB)
- Code of conduct
- Learning and career development (PDF, 204KB)
- Managing performance and conduct
- Probation policy (PDF, 219KB)
Conduct and complaints
- Code of conduct
- Grievance, harassment and bullying
- Investigating allegations of misconduct in research
- Managing performance and conduct
- Safeguarding policy (PDF, 112KB)
Other relevant policies and guidance
There are a number of other corporate policies that are applicable which employees must have access to. These include but are not limited to governance, finance, health and safety, and information systems:
- acceptable use
- counter fraud and bribery
- data protection (PDF, 190KB)
- declarations of interest: policy and guidance
- equality and diversity guidance for research funding (PDF, 45KB)
- gifts and hospitality
- health and safety
- investigating allegations of misconduct in research
- modern slavery and human trafficking
- trades unions’ recognition agreement
- whistleblowing
Legacy arrangements that are still in operation
We are currently harmonising human resources (HR) policies and guidance across UKRI councils. However, some council-specific legacy arrangements are still in place.
The Medical Research Council policies include legacy arrangements relating to pay, redundancy and pension arrangements for their employees.
Some employees in Innovate UK are part of legacy pay arrangements in a number of specifically ringfenced roles.
See an overview of harmonised and legacy human resources (HR) policies for each council, and UKRI overall:
- Arts and Humanities Research Council HR policies (PDF, 25KB)
- Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council HR policies (PDF, 29KB)
- Economic and Social Research Council HR policies (PDF, 25KB)
- Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council HR policies (PDF, 25KB)
- Innovate UK HR policies (PDF, 25KB)
- Medical Research Council HR policies (PDF, 28KB)
- Natural Environment Research Council HR policies (PDF, 35KB)
- Research England HR policies (PDF, 25KB)
- Science and Technology Facilities Council HR policies (PDF, 29KB)
- UKRI HR policies (PDF, 25KB)
Ask us a question about employment policies
For questions about how an employment policy is applied, contact your designated HR team.
For questions about pay, payment of expenses or similar queries, call UK Shared Business Services (UK SBS) on telephone: 01793 867000
For questions about pension, contact your pension scheme administration service.
Last updated: 27 April 2026