This accession consists of operational registry files from the Human Resources Management Branch, mostly from the period prior to 1988 when it was called the Personnel Policy Branch. The records as a whole date from 1949 to 1994. Most of the records have been subject to rearrangements based on changes to the file classification system implemented with successive reorganizations in the 1990s. The records incorporate reports, minutes of meetings, correspondence, memoranda, briefing books, formal authority documentation, departmental organization charts, a few selected case files and supporting reference material.
In general, the Treasury Board plays a policy making, regulatory, coordinating and accountability role in relation to a wide scope of human resources management functions in a regime of delegated authority to all agencies and departments of the Federal Public Service. These operational registry files cover most of the subjects associated with human resources management (except Official Languages Programs). The functions and activities in this accession include: human resources policy, review of acts and legislation, incentive programs (Incentive Awards Board), innovative management practices, Personnel Policy Manual, work environment, terms, conditions and benefits of work (including conflict of interest, isolated post directives, adaptable work patterns, mandatory retirement, freedom of expression, and all forms of leave), occupational safety and health (including smoking and air quality), National Joint Council (appearing in relation to various activities), job classification (including standards, grievances, audit and special provisions for the executive group), compensation and pay (including equal pay for work of equal value), training and development, pensions and superannuation, health and income protection plans, sick leave, some limited aspects of staff relations (but not collective bargaining), employment equity, day care, ethics and values (including personnel harassment policy), workforce adjustment, student employment, personnel data system applications and metadata, human resources planning, and reports on departmental human resources programs and performance. The administrative registry files include organization, senior management committees, and parliamentary matters.
The portions of registry files in this accession prefixed "staff relations" reflect activities traditionally administered not as a function of staff relations but as a function of general personnel policy administration. These activities include policy formation and coordination in relation to foreign service and isolated posts, occupational safety and health and travel regulations. Treatments of the staffing function are from the perspective of the impact of staffing procedures and regulations on other aspects of human resources management. (For more substantive files on staffing conventions, see the Public Service Commission fonds.) Official languages policy and programs are traditionally administered by distinct organizational units of the Treasury Board Secretariat and are found in other series.