Terms and conditions of employment

This page provides information about our general terms and conditions of employment. However, the specific terms and conditions of any post will be dependent upon the needs of the service and will be outlined in any contract or job description.

General terms

Our terms and conditions of employment are in accordance with existing national and local collective agreements negotiated and agreed with specified trade union or unions recognised by the Council for collective bargaining purposes.

Salary

Payment of salary is paid monthly on the 25th day of the month, through the BACS (Bank Automated Clearing Service) direct to a bank or building society account.

Increments

Increments are awarded with effect from 1st April each year (subject to satisfactory service) until the maximum of the grade is reached - subject to six months' service in the grade.

Hours of work

The working week is one of 37 hours to suit the needs of the service.

A flexitime scheme is in operation where, subject to service requirements, most staff can apply flexibility to their start and finishing times. Details of the scheme will be provided on appointment.

Leave

Annual leave is dependent upon grade in accordance with the following table:-

Scale Points 1 - 21 = 24 days (28 days after 5 years continuous local government service)

Scale Points 22 - 31 = 24 days (29 days after 5 years continuous local government service)

Scale Point 31 onwards = 26 days (31 days after 5 years continuous local government service)

In addition there are 9 days statutory holiday.

Pension

Appointments are subject to you joining either the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) the State Earnings Related Pension Scheme (SERPS) or taking out your own personal pension scheme. You must elect to enter a pension scheme through one of these alternatives and a form to make such election will be provided by the Council. A contracting out certificate is in force for the Local Government Pension Scheme.

Your personal pension contributions will depend on your annual salary and are shown in the table below:-

Up to £12,900 - 5.5%

More than £12,901 and up to £15,100 - 5.8%

More than £15,101 and up to £19,400 - 5.9%

More than £19,401 and up to £32,400 - 6.5%

More than £32,401 and up to £43,300 - 6.8%

More than £43,301 and up to £81,100 - 7.2%

More than £81,101 - 7.5%

Medical

All offers of appointment are subject to a satisfactory medical check by our occupational health provider. This may include a medical examination and, if the post is designated as a 'risk critical' role will include a drugs test in line with our Alcohol and Drugs Policy.

All information gathered as part of this process will be dealt with in the strictest confidence.

References

References will be taken up after interview and will be required before a candidate can be appointed.

Your first reference must be your present or most recent employer or your tutor or teacher if you are a school or college leaver. A suitable second referee would be a previous employer, work associate or member of a voluntary organisation you have contact with but not a family member, partner, close friend or any person you have a significant relationship with.

Probation

All posts are subject to a probationary period of six months.