Our Employment Package - What You Can Expect From Us

We are committed to developing a total employment package that will attract and retain high quality recruits from both the public and private sectors. In consultation with our employees, the decision was made to move to locally determined pay and conditions of service from 1 April 2007.

Having recently been confirmed as meeting the Local Government Equalities Standard Level Two and we are accredited to use the Positive about Disability (Two Ticks) symbol, we are committed to equal opportunities and embrace the values of diversity in all aspects of employment and in the delivery of services. As such we welcome applications from all sections of the community.

We strongly believe in investing in our staff and have been recognised as an Investor in People. As such you will be encouraged to make use of our comprehensive training programmes and to maximise your development opportunities throughout your time with us.

The following are extracts from our terms and conditions of service. If you would like more details please
contact the Personnel Division on 01372 474212 or email |personnel@elmbridge.gov.uk

Before You Join Us

All appointments to the Council will be subject to:

• Medical clearance by our doctor
• Receipt of at least 2 references acceptable to us
• Seeing evidence of your qualifications where they are essential to the post
• Confirmation of your right to work in the UK

...And After Your Job Offer Is Confirmed

• You will be required to serve a probationary period of between 3 and 12 months.
• On completion of the above you will participate in our appraisal process where you and your manager will jointly review your work performance and your development needs on an ongoing basis.

Financial Benefits

Salaries
Salaries are paid on the 15th of each month (i.e. approximately 2 weeks in advance and 2 weeks in arrears) and are paid directly into your bank, building society or post office giro account. Included in the salary.

Salary Range
The salary range for this post comprises five incremental points. These are: £57,339, £58,980, £60,618, £62,256, and £63,894.

Salary levels are reviewed each April. Where appropriate, incremental increases through salary scales also occur in April each year, subject to satisfactory performance.

Lease Car or Cash Allowance
You will be entitled to a lease car with an annual allowance of £4,935. In addition 19p per mile can be claimed for all business mileage.

Alternatively you may prefer to receive the cash equivalent of the lease car allowance (£4,935) and you will be responsible for providing and financing your own car. The mileage rate remains at 19p per mile for all business mileage.

Attendance at Evening Meetings Allowance
In addition to the normal working week and outside of normal working hours, you are required to attend evening meetings. An allowance (currently £45.75) is paid in respect of attendance and any subsistence claims for any evening meetings.

Final Salary Pension Scheme
The Local Government Pension Scheme provides excellent benefits in the form of an index linked retirement pension and tax-free lump sum based on your final year's salary, together with ill health, redundancy and death benefits. The Scheme is contracted out of SERPS.

You will be automatically included in the Scheme unless you choose to opt out. Both you and the Council make contributions to the scheme with your contribution being 7.2% of your gross salary. Full tax relief is automatically given. Pension contributions can be transferred to or from the Scheme provided Inland Revenue requirements are met.

Relocation Expenses
If you have to relocate to join us you will be eligible for financial assistance to help you manage some of the associated costs. Details of the relocation package are available on request.

Payment of Professional Subscriptions
We will pay your subscription to one professional body per year if it is essential to the post and detailed on the job description that you be professionally qualified.

Interest Free Season Ticket Loan
You are eligible for an interest free, season ticket loan to help you manage the public transport costs of travelling to and from work.

Long Service Awards
These will be paid to you in recognition of your commitment to the Council and are paid for each five years of service at Elmbridge.

Free Leisure Membership and Access to Facilities
You can apply for a free membership card allowing you, and your immediate family, membership of Elmbridge Xcel Leisure Complex and Hurst Pool provided you all live at the same address. Membership gives you a discount on the use of facilities and sessions at swimming pools. If you live outside the Borough you can make use of our 'Shout' or 'Shout Louder' Playschemes for your children (providing they live at the same address as you) and only pay the amount chargeable to Elmbridge residents.

Car Loans
If you are required to use your car for Council business you can apply for a car loan (up to £11,000) at an attractive rate on completion of your probationary period. The maximum repayment period for a new car is five years and is repayable by deduction from your salary.

Work / Life Balance Benefits

Elmbridge recognises the importance of helping you create a productive balance between work and your life outside work. To support this we have introduced the following range of flexible and family friendly benefits.

Holidays
Your annual leave entitlement is 35 days. The leave year runs from 1st April to 31st March.

There are also 8 bank holidays and Members usually grant one discretionary day's leave at Christmas. You can choose to carry over a maximum of 5 days annual leave (pro rata for part time staff) into the following leave year, which must be taken by 30th June.

You are also allowed to "buy" up to 10 additional days, and "sell" up to 5 days, annual leave each year, subject to certain conditions.

Working Hours
The full time working week is 36 hours. The Council's Flexible Working Hours Policy does not apply to this post.

We offer opportunities for a variety of working arrangements including job sharing, some working at home as well as part time and full time working subject to the needs of the service.

Employee Support Programme
A free, confidential 24 hour helpline service is available to assist you in dealing with everyday situations and more serious problems including financial, legal, relationships, drug and alcohol abuse, stress, housing, debt management and any work related issues.

Health at Work
We recognise the importance of good health and enable you to have a flu injection each year. In addition regular health awareness sessions are held covering subjects such as stopping smoking, healthy living, dealing with back problems, men's/women's health, etc. An alternative therapist is also available to staff at the Civic Centre at a reduced cost.

Private Health Insurance
You are eligible to join the Council's private medical insurance scheme at no cost for your own cover. You are also able to pay for additional members of your family to be members of the scheme.

Private Health Screening
You are eligible for an annual private health screening at no cost to yourself.

Other Benefits

Dependency Carers Leave
Designed to enable you to care for dependents at times of illness or to manage other emergency situations by providing up to 3 days' paid leave (pro rata for part time staff).

Community Time
To provide you with the opportunity to take one additional day's leave provided that time is spent working in a voluntary capacity for the benefit of the Elmbridge community.

Learning and Development Guarantee
As part of our commitment to the development of staff we are aiming to guarantee you a minimum of 3 days of learning and development each year.

Staff Car Parking
Available at the Civic Centre and outlying centres.

Politically Restricted Post (for employees on salary scale point 44 or above)
Under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 for employees in posts of salary scale point 44 or above, the post is subject to political restriction which means that the employee is prohibited from taking part in the following political activities:

• standing for election as a member of the House of Commons, European Parliament or a Local Authority.
• holding office in a political party.
• canvassing on behalf of a political party or any person standing for election.
• speaking or writing in public (including publishing any artistic work) if it appears to elicit public support for a political party (this does not preclude you displaying a poster or other document on your own property or possessions).

Failure to comply with these rules may result in disciplinary action. Further details of the restrictions can be obtained from the Personnel Division.

No Smoking Policy
The Council has adopted a non-smoking policy. Smoking is not allowed in the Civic Offices or any other Council property other than in designated smoking areas.

For further information on our organisation which can be downloaded please visit our website at |www.elmbridge.gov.uk