Benefits
Salaries in local government are kept in line with National Pay Bodies and Agreements, and are reviewed regularly. But salary isn’t everything. Councils in the North West offer a range of benefits, including pensions and flexible working initiatives, to make working with us a more rewarding experience.
Flexible working
All Councils offer some form of flexible working. This is a range of policies designed to help you strike a better balance between your work and your life outside work. These policies can include:
Flexitime – For many roles you are able to work flexitime, as long as you fulfil your contracted hours, and are present during agreed core hours, you can start late or finish early. We expect you to take responsibility for achieving your work goals and performance targets and to give us the commitment we need to keep improving our services as a Council.
Job Share – This allows two people to share the hours of certain roles over 30 hours a week.
Part time working – Many of our posts are part time, with a range of hours enabling you to fit other activities around your job.
Holidays
Everyone is entitled to 22 days (inclusive of two extra statutory days) plus public holidays (usually eight) per year. The two extra statutory days may be occasionally fixed by the Council if locally agreed in advance. This increases to 27 days after 5 years’ continuous local government service.
Special Leave - There is provision for additional paid or unpaid special leave in certain circumstances including parental, maternity, paternity and compassionate leave.
Pensions
All local Councils offer generous final salary pension schemes. Unlike some private pension schemes, these pension funds are guaranteed by the government. You are expected to make a contribution (usually around 6%) of your gross salary to the scheme. Final salary schemes offer benefits based on your final salary as an employee.
Leisure facilities
Many Councils offer discounted rates for the use of some leisure facilities.
Occupational health
All councils offer an Occupational Health service. The aim of this is to provide professional support and advice to the employees on health, safety at work and general well being.
Child care vouchers scheme
Some Councils offer a salary sacrifice scheme that allows employees to benefit from tax and National Insurance savings on certain child care costs.
Discounts
There are many examples of local discounts available to employees. These include local fitness/leisure centres, health clinics, beauty salons, travel agents and theatre.