Benefits

Living Wage employer

We are signed up to being a living wage employer, which means all employees are paid at least the living wage. The living wage figures are announced in November of each year, and implemented in the next tax year. More information can be found on the Living Wage Foundation website.

• website: The Living Wage Foundation

Pay structure

We have a pay structure giving consistent salary levels based on a nationally approved job evaluation scheme.

Occupational pension scheme

Eligible employees have the option to join the local government pension scheme. Your contribution to the scheme is dependent on your pensionable earnings.

In line with the legislation, we automatically enrol all eligible employees as we are required to, into the scheme on appointment, but you have the choice to opt out if you wish.

The scheme is good value for money as the council also makes a contribution. 

Free car parking

There is free car parking for employees at:

• main council offices in Kirkby in Ashfield
• Northern Depot and Brook Street in Sutton in Ashfield.

Viv Up Rewards

This is a discount and benefit scheme which gives employees access to a great range of discounts from food shopping to holidays. There is something for everyone and thousands of ways to save through the scheme.

Microsoft Office

Employees can subscribe to Office 365 at a reduced rate, either a personal copy or for 6 people in a household.

Employee health and wellbeing

Well being at Work

We are committed to providing opportunities and support for our employees to lead a healthy lifestyle.

A range of health and wellbeing activities are available including health checks, yoga, lunch time walks and workplace challenges.

Leisure centre discounts

Our employees are entitled to use the 6 Ashfield District Leisure centres for discounted rates on swimming, sports hall activities, snooker, squash and the fitness and health suites.

• link: Leisure, swimming and sports

You can access the activities at a concessionary rate by producing your council photo ID card to the leisure centre receptionists at the time of payment. Please remember these relate to you as the employee only on production of your photo ID, and not family or friends. 

Cycle 2 work scheme

The cycle to work scheme is a salary sacrifice scheme over a 12 month period for bicycles bought to ride to and from the workplace for at least 50% of the ridden time. It saves up to 42% off the cost of cycle accessories and safety equipment, up to £1000 from Halfords or independent retailers.

Employee health services

Occupational Health

If you have a health issue your manager may refer you, or you can ask to be referred to, an occupational health expert in order to gain more information and advice or support mechanisms that can be put into place. 

Referred Physiotherapy

In some instances, occupational health may recommend that physiotherapy would be beneficial to prevent further health issues which could result in time off work. 

Eye tests

We provide free eye tests to all employees who either use a computer screen or drive as part of their job.

Generous annual leave

Full time employees are given a basic entitlement which is 30 days, and after 5 years of service your entitlement will increase to 35 days (If you work part-time, your entitlement will be prorated). This is in addition to the 8 statutory bank holidays.

Flexi-time scheme

A flexi-time scheme operates which allows some discretion in working time. Eligibility to participate in scheme is subject to service requirements.

Payment of professional fees

We will make a contribution towards professional fees, for employees who meet the specified criteria.

Family friendly policies

We have family friendly policies on: 

• maternity
• paternity
• adoption
• and parental leave. 

Career breaks

A career break may be taken for a number of reasons including personal development: the opportunity to travel or undertake community work, or to fulfil personal and domestic commitments. We allow for a period of unpaid leave for over 3 months and up to one year. 

Special leave

We understand there are times in your life where you may need to be away from work and have policies to support: 

• bereavement leave
• domestic emergency leave
• unpaid leave
• service in non-regular forces
• public duty such as acting as a Justice or undertaking Jury Service
• religious events and festivals
• time off for cancer screening
• time off for interviews at a Local Government employer. 

Equality Framework for Local Government

The Equality framework eliminates unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct prohibited by the act.

It also advances equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not and fosters good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.

Mindful employer

As a mindful employer, we show full commitment to providing a positive and enabling attitude to employees and job applicants with mental health issues.

Disability Confident employer

We are part of the Disability Confident accreditation scheme at the Employer level.

The core actions for the scheme are to:

• actively looking to attract and recruit disabled people
• provide a fully inclusive and accessible recruitment process
• offer an interview to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for the job
• be flexible when assessing people so disabled job applicants have the best opportunity to demonstrate that they can do the job
• make reasonable adjustments as required
• encourage our suppliers and partner firms to be Disability Confident
• ensure that employees have sufficient disability equality awareness. 

Learning and development

We provide comprehensive learning and development programme including extended and aspiring leadership programmes.