Staff Benefits
Hours of Work
Flexible Working Hours
Generous Leave Entitlement
Flexible Working Policy
Special Leave Policy
Competitive Salary
Pay Progression Based on Performance
Method of Salary Payment
Final Salary Pension Scheme
Employee Relations
General Transport Costs
Relocation Expenses
Interview Expenses
Childcare Vouchers Scheme
Recognised Service
Employee Assistance Programme
Health and Safety
Smoking Policy
Eye and Eyesight Test Policy
Sickness
Learning and Development
Training
Work-Life Balance
The normal working week is 35 hours, normally worked 09:00-17:00 hours, Monday - Friday. If you are applying to a part-time job, you will usually be advised of the hours and any unusual work pattern in the advert. Further details can be found by contacting the relevant recruitment telephone number on the advert.
SCRA operates a generous Flexible Working Hour Scheme. Core times are from 10:00-12:00 hours and 14:30-16:00 hours, with flexible working hours between 07:30-10:00 hours, 12:00-14:30 hours (a maximum of 2 hours may be taken for lunch), and 16:00-18:30 hours. Subject to operational requirements, employees have the facility to take up to 2 days flexi-leave in any 4 week period. This will be pro-rated if you work part-time.
Our leave year runs from 1 January to 31 December. Annual leave starts at 25 days and increases to 28 days after 5 years and 30 days after 10 years service. We may recognise previous service. Leave for part-time staff is pro-rated to hours worked. In addition, there are 12 days public holiday per annum, of which a minimum of 7 are fixed (depends on your Region). That means new employees receive a minimum of 37 days leave a year.
There are a number of other occasions when SCRA will support paid absence from work and specific details can be found in the Special Leave Policy.
SCRA have a range of other work life balance initiatives including:
- Job Sharing & Part-time Working Policies
- Maternity Leave Provisions
- Adoption Leave Provisions
- Paternity Leave Provisions
- Parental Leave Policy
- Dependant Care Leave Policy
- Career Break Policy
Conditions
Competitive Salary
SCRA aims to ensure that the salaries we offer are competitive in equivalent markets. We have recently undergone a Pay and Grading review to ensure our salaries achieve these aims. Our policy on appointment is that staff are normally placed at the bottom of the pay scale.
Pay Progression Based On Performance
Progression through SCRA’s grades is dependent on satisfactory performance. Progression for staff is determined in accordance with SCRA’s appraisal and performance related pay scheme. The annual settlement date is 1 October and the appraisal year ends on 31 March.
Method of Salary Payment
We pay staff monthly by credit transfer to bank or building society on the 15th of each month.
Final Salary Pension Scheme
Unlike many other employers SCRA still operates a sought after Final Salary Pension Scheme. The Local Government Superannuation Scheme is administered on SCRA’s behalf by Falkirk Council. Benefits include:
- You currently contribute 6% of your salary into the scheme and receive significant tax relief on contributions. We currently contribute 16% of your salary on your behalf
- Pension & Tax free lump sum on retiral
- Death benefits if applicable
- Widow/children’s pension, if applicable.
If you elect to use this scheme, Falkirk Council will contact you shortly after you start with SCRA to ask you if you wish to transfer your pension if eligible. If you need advice prior to this, please contact Falkirk Council pensions on 01324 506070.
SCRA’s normal retirement age is currently 65 years of age. Staff may request to work beyond 65 and SCRA will consider this.
Employee Relations
SCRA operates in a collective bargaining framework. Unison is the recognised trade union.
General Transport Costs
Where an individual has to use public transport or their own vehicle for business purposes they will receive re-imbursement for all associated costs in line with our Travel Policy. If you are deemed to be an Essential Car User you will receive an annual allowance of £825 which is paid in 12 equal monthly installments.
Relocation Expenses
New employees appointed on a permanent basis may be entitled to financial assistance if they are obliged to move home in order to take up appointment with SCRA. The maximum limit of financial assistance is £5000. Expenses covered by the scheme include legal costs, removal costs, travel and temporary accommodation costs.
Interview Expenses
Where applicants are required to travel to attend interview, SCRA will reimburse reasonable travel and subsistence expenses incurred. Receipts must support all expense claims other than car mileage.
Childcare Vouchers Scheme
SCRA operates a Childcare Vouchers scheme in partnership with Busy Bees Childcare Vouchers Ltd. Childcare Vouchers can be used to pay for most types of childcare. The vouchers are non-taxable, exempt from National Insurance Contributions and participants can purchase vouchers up to the value of £243 per month through salary sacrifice.
Recognised Service
SCRA recognises continuous service in line with the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government, etc) (Modification) Order 1999.
Health and Welfare
Employee Assistance Programme
We understand that life is not simple and it often helps to have someone with whom you can talk through work or home issues. To support this, we offer staff and their immediate family members access to a free ‘Employee Assistance Programme’, which is provided by an independent company. It operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and offers professional counselling, advice and information on a range of issues.
SCRA is committed to achieving the highest possible standards of occupational health, safety and welfare. We aim to have a proportionate, meaningful and reasonable system for managing risk and recognise that statutory obligations provide a minimum standard.
Smoking Policy
A no smoking policy is observed at all SCRA offices.
Eye and Eyesight Test Policy
We will contribute £60 to any spectacles required for you to work with computer screens.
Sickness
All employees are entitled to the following generous sickness allowance:
|
Entitlement |
||
|---|---|---|
| Service | Full Pay | Half Pay |
| Less than 1 year | 5 weeks | 5 weeks |
| 1 year but less than 2 years | 9 weeks | 9 weeks |
| 2 years but less than 3 years | 18 weeks | 18 weeks |
| 3 years but less than 5 years | 22 weeks | 22 weeks |
| 5 years or more | 26 weeks | 26 weeks |
SCRA operates a comprehensive Sickness Management Policy, which aims to support and help individuals experiencing illness and during their return to work. We are supported in this by access to Occupational Health specialists.
Learning and Development
Learning and Development
Our learning and development staff deliver training and consultancy services to staff.
A Wide Range Of Courses Available To All Staff
SCRA offers a wide range of courses through its training department. These are delivered at a number of sites as well as on-line.
