Revenue and Customs: Disciplinary Proceedings
The question
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what authority and responsibility did the HR function within HMRC hold for former Valuation Office Agency employees following the merger into HMRC on 1 April 2026, in relation to safeguarding arrangements where the subject of a formal complaint remains in post during an active investigation.
Answered by Treasury
Following the merger of the Valuation Office Agency into HMRC on 1 April 2026, former VOA employees became HMRC employees and are largely covered by the same HMRC policies and procedures as other HMRC staff, Cases relating to complaints of bullying, harassment and discrimination are managed under HMRC's Upholding our Standards policy, supported by a dedicated VO HR Consultancy team within HMRC's Expert Advice Service using VO Decision Managers.
Where the complaint concerns the employee's line manager, EAS works with the business to undertake an individual risk assessment and agree appropriate safeguarding measures. These are tailored to the circumstances of the case and may include temporary alternative management arrangements, adjustments to working patterns or locations, measures to limit contact between the parties, and access to wellbeing and support services. Safeguarding arrangements are reviewed throughout the investigation and amended where necessary to ensure the employee is appropriately supported.HMRC does not tolerate bullying, harassment or discrimination. Where a complaint is upheld, EAS advises on disciplinary action in line with HMRC policy and supports the implementation of any recommendations arising from the investigation.
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