Benefits & Rewards
Flexible working
Traditional working patterns of 9-5, five days per week, do not always suit the needs of departments or a large proportion of the workforce. Introducing a range of flexible working arrangements can benefit both employees and managers. The following are options that can be offered to employees:-
- Part time work - Part-time working arises in a situation where a member of staff works less than the normal full time number of hours per week for their job group. This can be either on a reduced number of days basis or on a 5 day week, reduced hours basis. This can help employees with balancing their work/life circumstances and provide the council with a committed diverse workforce.
- Job share - Job share is a way of working where two employees share the responsibility of one full time job. The work, pay, holidays and benefits are shared. Job share is an option for anyone who wants to carry on working but not in a traditional working pattern.
- Term time working - This is can be a valuable option for some employees where departments are particularly busy at certain times of the year or where work can be rescheduled to fit in with this pattern.
- Home working - This can be an option for short-term emergencies or as a longer term measure to utilise an employees work time and incorporate work life balance.
- Flexi (for some posts) -Flexi time allows you to vary your starting and finishing times each day to suit your own personal circumstances within the limits of the scheme. It makes it possible for you to plan your journeys to and from work to avoid the rush hour and to accumulate time which can be used as leave (up to maximum of 2 days every 4 week period)
- Child care vouchers -With working parents now comprising over a third of the UK workforce, childcare is a significant concern for employers as well as parents. London Borough of Sutton has now sourced Imagine to provide Childcare Vouchers for employees wishing to enter into the salary sacrifice scheme (whereby you exchange part of your salary into Vouchers and save tax and National Insurance).
- LG pension scheme - The local Government Pension scheme provides you with a secure future income, independent of share prices and stock market fluctuations. Your pension will also receive regular cost of living increases once you retire. http://www.lgps.org.uk
- Annual season ticket loan: Interest free loans for travel payable over 12 months available to all employees
- Bike loan - Any employee can apply for a loan of between £50 and £500 repayable over 1 or 2 years as long as they use the bike regularly to and from work. The loan can also be used for purchase of safety equipment for the bike.
- Car loan (for some posts) - Authorised essential or casual users can apply for a loan of up to £9000 repayable over a maximum of 5 years for cars. For motorbikes/scooters or mopeds authorised users can apply for a loan of up to £2000.