Welcome to The Herd. As part of a growing agency built on digital media, creative strategy, and measurable results, you are joining a team that cares about doing exceptional work and looking after its people. This handbook sets out who we are, how we work, and what you can expect from the organisation and from your colleagues. It is designed to support you as you settle into your role, understand our ways of working, and grow your career within the company.
The Herd is more than a digital agency; it is a tight‑knit team with a shared belief in pushing boundaries, delivering excellence, and staying grounded in clear values. The culture blends ambition and creativity with an emphasis on trust, openness, and long‑term relationships with both clients and colleagues.
Our values guide decisions, behaviour, and how we show up for each other:
Everyone is expected to bring these values into day‑to‑day work, decision‑making, and client relationships.
Your written employment contract confirms whether your role is full‑time, part‑time, or fixed‑term. Any change to your contract type or core terms must be discussed, agreed, and confirmed in writing by The Herd.
Standard working hours are 09:00 to 17:30, Monday to Friday, based on a 37.5‑hour working week. Flexibility may sometimes be needed to meet client deadlines or business priorities, and flexible working arrangements can be considered in line with the agency's flexible working policy.
The Herd operates an office‑first, hybrid rhythm designed to keep collaboration, learning, and client delivery strong. As a general expectation, team members work the majority of the week from the office, with limited, pre‑agreed working from home where it supports performance, wellbeing, and client work and is managed through the HR systems.
Your salary, any commission structure, and any bonus arrangements are detailed in your employment contract. Pay is processed monthly with statutory deductions applied, and the company reserves the right to make lawful deductions where specified, for example in relation to unreturned equipment or training costs.
You are entitled to 28 days of paid annual leave per year, inclusive of bank holidays, aligned to the holiday year set out in your contract and holiday policy. Holidays must be requested in advance and approved based on business needs, project cover, and fairness across the team.
The Herd provides a workplace pension scheme that complies with UK auto‑enrolment requirements. Details of the provider, contribution levels, and opt‑in/opt‑out processes are provided separately and may be updated from time to time in line with legislation and business decisions.
Where roles are office‑based, employees can use on‑site free parking, subject to availability and any local building rules.
To support physical wellbeing, The Herd offers a free gym membership for employees, with details of eligible gyms and joining instructions provided during onboarding or via HR.
Everyone is expected to act professionally, ethically, and in line with The Herd's values and Code of Conduct. This includes being respectful, honest, and reliable in all interactions with clients, colleagues, suppliers, and partners, both inside and outside the workplace.
The Herd is committed to providing an inclusive, diverse environment where people are treated fairly, with dignity and respect, regardless of protected characteristics. Discrimination, victimisation, or less favourable treatment is not tolerated and may lead to action under the disciplinary procedures.
Harassment, bullying, and any behaviour that undermines dignity at work are not acceptable. Concerns can be raised with a manager or HR, and will be handled under the Anti‑Harassment and Bullying Policy and, where appropriate, the Disciplinary and Grievances Policy.
New starters normally have a 3‑month probationary period, during which performance, conduct, and cultural fit are reviewed. The company may extend probation where more time is needed to assess suitability or support improvement.
Regular one‑to‑ones and performance reviews provide space to review progress, recognise achievements, and address any concerns early. These conversations focus on role expectations, behaviours aligned to our values, client outcomes, and your development goals.
The Herd invests in learning and development through on‑the‑job learning, internal sessions, and external courses where they support role requirements and business priorities. Expectations and any training commitments will be agreed with your manager, and may be linked to performance objectives and future progression.
The Herd is committed to providing a safe, healthy working environment in line with UK health and safety law and its Health & Safety Policy. You are expected to follow safety procedures, use equipment appropriately, and report any hazards, accidents, or near misses promptly.
When working from home or another remote location, you must ensure your workspace is safe, secure, and ergonomic. Any work‑related accidents while working remotely must be reported through the usual incident reporting procedures.
Company devices, accounts, and software are provided for business use and remain the property of The Herd. You are expected to look after them, follow security guidance, and use them responsibly in line with the IT Acceptable Use Policy.
The Herd complies with UK data protection law, including GDPR, and expects all employees to handle personal and confidential data carefully. You must follow the Data Protection, GDPR & Confidentiality Policy, use approved systems, and report any suspected data breach immediately.
If conduct, performance, or compliance with policies falls below expected standards, concerns may be addressed under the Disciplinary & Grievances Policy. Informal resolution will be considered where appropriate, but formal action can include warnings or, in serious cases, dismissal.
If you have concerns or complaints that cannot be resolved informally, you can raise a formal grievance following the procedure outlined in the Disciplinary & Grievances Policy and HR guidance. You have the right to be heard and to be accompanied at formal meetings by a colleague or trade union representative.
You are responsible for the proper use and care of company property, including laptops, phones, access cards, and any other equipment issued to you. Loss, theft, or damage must be reported promptly, and unreturned equipment on leaving may lead to deductions from final pay where lawful and confirmed in your contract or relevant policy.
Reasonable, pre‑approved business expenses can be reclaimed in line with the internal expenses process. Claims must be supported by receipts and submitted promptly through the agreed system for approval.
Where The Herd funds external training or qualifications, there may be an agreement for some or all costs to be repaid if you leave before completion or within a set period afterwards, as specified in any training agreement. Any such arrangements will be made clear in advance and confirmed in writing.
Mental health is taken seriously, and you are encouraged to speak up early if you are struggling. In addition to support through managers and HR, employees can take one paid mental health day every six months, agreed with their line manager and booked through the normal absence channels.
Each year, you can take one paid day to volunteer for a charity or community cause, subject to prior approval. Requests should be made in advance so workload and client commitments can be managed and the impact of your volunteering can be maximised.
Notice periods for resignation and termination are set out in your employment contract and must be followed unless agreed otherwise in writing. The Herd may use options such as garden leave or pay in lieu of notice where appropriate and will act in line with UK employment law and internal policies.