Benefits/Terms

Below is information that we hope will answer some of the many questions you may have about your terms and conditions of employment with us. Terms and conditions for certain posts e.g. residential workers may vary and will be supplied separately. If you require any further details, please contact the relevant personnel section.

Salary and Pay Increments

You will be paid monthly – usually the 15th – and your pay is credited direct to your bank or building society account. An incremental advance within the grade is given every year on 1st April, subject to satisfactory service and attendance and after six months‘ service. If you commence work with us between October and March, your first increment will be given on completion of six months‘ service.

Hours

A 36 hour week 9.00am to 5.12pm is worked in most of the Council’s offices, although hours of work may vary between groups of staff. A scheme of flexible hours is in operation, where appropriate.

Annual Leave

The annual leave year commences on the 1st of the month in which you were born. Your entitlement is dependent upon grade and length of service.

Childcare Vouchers

Wandsworth Council has introduced Busy Bees Childcare Vouchers. These entitle you to a significant saving. The vouchers can be used to pay for most types of childcare and are non-taxable and exempt from National Insurance Contributions. Further details will be available at your induction or by contacting Busy Bees on freefone 08000 430 860. 

Pension Scheme

The Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) provides a pension (or by choice, a reduced pension and a tax-free lump sum) on completion of three months membership. The pension is paid at retirement, which is normally at age 65. Employees with a contract of employment for at least three months pay pension contributions automatically on commencement unless an election to opt-out is made before commencement. Contributions are paid as a percentage of pay and qualify for tax relief. Contributions are between 5.5 and 7.5% of pay depending on the rate of salary.

Membership normally results in lower employee National Insurance contributions. The Council is required to contribute whatever is necessary to ensure that the pension scheme is properly funded. The pension scheme actuary establishes this every three years. For the period from 1st April 2008 this is 19% of a member’s pay.

Further details about the LGPS are available in the scheme booklet, “Local Government Pensions Scheme – Employees Guide” which is available on request from personnel sections and will be provided automatically to successful applicants.

Probation

New entrants to Wandsworth Council service are subject to a nine month probationary period which, if appropriate, the Council may extend.

Sick Pay and Attendance

For absence due to sickness, including injury or disability, you will be paid in accordance with the relevant Sickness Scheme. The Council also operates a scheme which applies when an employee reaches a set level of absence in any period of 12 months. Should this level be reached some of the hours the employee has been absent will be recovered, either by working additional hours, using annual leave or deduction of pay.

CRB Disclosure checks

In accordance with the Council’s legal obligations if the post you are applying for requires a CRB disclosure check, a copy of the Council’s policy will be supplied to you. A copy of the CRB’s Code of Practice can also be made available on request or can be viewed at http://www.disclosure.gov.uk

Smoking

The Council operates a policy of ‘No Smoking’ in its places of work.

Promotion

Promotion is based on merit and ability. Vacant posts are normally advertised internally and externally. A Job Vacancy List is distributed each week.

Training

A variety of training courses are available via the Council’s Learning and Development Centre. Assistance may also be given to you if you want to study for a professional qualification.


Staff Car Parking and the Council Services Transport Plan

There are very few parking spaces at the Town Hall and a Controlled Parking Zone covers the Wandsworth Town area. Access to free on-street and off-street parking is therefore severely limited. The purpose of the Council Services Transport Plan is to assist and encourage staff who normally use their car to get to work to adopt alternative travel arrangements. Cycling, use of public transport, car sharing, motorcycling and walking are encouraged. Interest free season ticket loans are available to staff who are not in a probationary period.


Please note that these general details do not set out the terms and conditions of any contract of employment you may subsequently be offered. If you are successful you will be given an official statement of particulars defining your terms and conditions of service.