Southend Council

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Employee Benefits

With over 4000 employees Southend-on-Sea Borough Council is a major employer in Southend and we recognise that our staff are our main asset. Without suitably trained and supported employees, our vision and ambitions are not achievable.

To help ensure we attract and retain the best people, we have put together a comprehensive and competitive benefits package.

Salary

We have recently reviewed and increased our remuneration package to ensure we are extremely competitive with other local authorities.

Annual Leave

As a new employee you will have a minimum of 23 days annual leave, which will increase, by one day, after each completed year of service up to 28 days when you complete 5 years service with a local authority. In addition, the Council operates a flexi time scheme which means that you could also take up to a further 13 flexi days per year.

Flexible Working Hours

Our standard working week is 37 hours. However, you may vary your working hours, by agreement, to suit your personal circumstances and the needs of your department.

Job Sharing

We actively support job sharing as an alternative to full-time employment.

Final Salary Pension Scheme

You will be eligible to join the Local Government Pension Scheme. For a contribution of 6% or your annual pay, you will receive the following:

• a tax-free lump sum when you retire
• a guaranteed pension
• ill health retirement from any age
• death in service lump sum of 2 times your final salary
• a widow's or widower's pension
• children's pensions
• index-linking of benefits to enure they keep pace with inflation

Additional Pension Contributions

Employees can increase the value of their pension benefits by making additional contributions.

Childcare Vouchers

Childcare Vouchers are simply an alternative method of payment for registered or approved childcare. You can use them to replace or run along side your existing payment methods of cash, cheque, standing orders etc. If you are paying for registered Childcare including breakfast and afternoon clubs and holiday clubs then this an important benefit and we urge you to take a look. This is a government approved employee benefit that allows working parents to receive up to £243 of their salary each month in childcare vouchers - this element of salary will not have tax and NI applied to so in a year you could save over £1000. (If both parents work for the Council then you can save even more).

Cycle2Work

Cycle2Work is a government approved scheme that allows you to loan a cycle and safety equipment from your employer for the purpose of commuting to and from work and for use at weekends and evenings. The cycle you loan will be provided at up to 40% less than the usual cost you would pay which can result in savings of over £400. The payments for the bike and safety accessories are split over 12 months so not only do you rack up the savings, but you also spread the cost too.

Family Friendly Policies

We have a number of schemes that enable employees to fulfil their family commitments including maternity leave, paternity leave and adoption leave. Furthermore, should you need to take time off for childcare, domestic crisis or care for a dependant, the Council has generous paid leave entitlements to support you.

Paid Sick Leave

We are keen to support employees who are genuinely unwell and not able to attend work. New employees to local government are eligible to recieve up to one months paid sick leave, gradually increasing to six months half pay after 5 years.

Car Lease or Car Loan Scheme

We operate a three year car leasing scheme that is open to key employees. In general, providing the car is suitable to carry out Council duties, there is no restriction on the range of cars offered. Included in the scheme is provision for:

• car tax
• routine maintenance
• reasonable repair costs
• insurance
• homestart and recovery breakdown

In addition, a car loan scheme is operated for key members of staff.

Free Car Parking

We are able to offer parking permits for car parks situated near the Council offices for key members of staff.

Relocation Expenses

If you need to relocate we offer a generous tax-free scheme that enables you to obtain financial support for expenses relating to your relocation. The scheme is governed by strict Inland Revenue rules but we regularly review our policies to ensure individuals can claim the maximum amount. Typically the scheme covers:

• reimbursement for return trips home
• legal and other fees
• removal expenses