This is an outline of benefits and conditions. If you would like more information, please email the the address on the website job advert.

Salary and annual leave

  • Annual leave entitlement varies according to job grade and length of service and ranges from 26 days to 31days for most jobs. 3 of these days may be fixed at Christmas/New Year where work places close during this period
  • Salary progression is normally by annual increment

Hours including flexible working

  • 36 hours per week for a full time job
  • Flexible working is accommodated wherever possible. This may include staggered hours or flexible hours each offering a day off for accumulated time. Job share or annualised hours contracts are also supported as is time banking wherever possible

Pension

  • We offer a Local Government Pension scheme which still benefits from being a final salary scheme
  • It gives an index-linked pension, a tax-free lump sum, as well as ill health and death benefits
  • Pension contributions can be transferred to or from this scheme provided Inland Revenue requirements are met
  • Employees pay from 6% of their salary, and tax relief is given automatically
  • More about the London Borough of Waltham Forest Pension Fund

Parental leave

  • Waltham Forest offers excellent maternity benefits with up to 24 weeks paid leave and up to 52 weeks leave after the birth of the baby. Return to work on a job share basis is available. Adoption leave is also provided – length depends on the age of the child. 1 weeks paid maternity support leave is given to a father or nominated carer. Employees with one year’s continuous service are also entitled to unpaid parental leave for each child under 5 years.

Interview expenses

  • Interview expenses are paid at public transport costs or equivalent

Occupational sick pay

  • Waltham Forest offers a generous sick pay scheme with full and half pay entitlements varying to a maximum 6 months full pay and 6months half pay after 5 years continuous local government service

Health and support

  • Employees whose health may affect their performance and attendance are given advice and support from the Occupational Health Service. Waltham Forest also provides counselling support and advice through a free 24 hour telephone service and if appropriate, face to face counselling

Fitness

  • Employees are eligible for reduced price membership (currently 20% off) to five leisure centres in the borough, unlimited use of fitness centres, pools, exercise classes and other benefits. Also reduced membership to the YMCA fitness facilities

Financial loans

Subject to meeting individual eligibility criteria most employees can take advantage of the following types of loans.

Vehicle loans and allowances

  • Interest bearing loans to buy a vehicle (including a motor cycle or bicycle) where it is needed for official business. These are repaid over a period of up to five years – 2 years for bicycle
  • Employees using their vehicles for official business are entitled to receive mileage allowances. Rates vary according to the type of car, motor cycle, or cycle

Season ticket / travel card loans

  • Interest free loans are available for annual season tickets and/or travel cards for travel to and from work.

Special leave

  • All employees are eligible to be considered for special leave for circumstances such as for public duty, family and personal reasons, bereavement. Part of the leave will be paid and additional unpaid leave is available in certain circumstances

Career break scheme

  • The opportunity of a career break is available to employees with dependant relatives or for educational, development or travel opportunities

Training and development

  • Waltham Forest is committed to develop the potential of all its employees. We are an Investors in People awarded Council
  • We review all employees training and development needs on a regular basis as part of an appraisal process
  • We encourage a wide range of learning and development methods

Employee credit union

  • Forest Savers’ credit union offers easy ways to save via payroll deduction and gives borrowing facilities at interest rates below commercial banks

Social club

  • An independently run Social Club is located in Walthamstow Town Hall grounds

Probation

  • All appointments are subject to a 6 month probation period except for existing employees of Waltham Forest

Notice

  • Notice periods vary between 1 and 3 months dependent on grade of the post. Your contract of employment will state

Membership of a trade union

  • The Council supports the system of collective bargaining and believes in the principle of solving employee relations issues by discussion and consultation. All employees have the right to join a Trade Union and take part in its activities

Fairness at work, discipline and conduct and capability

  • All employees shall have recourse to and be subject to the Councils Fairness at Work, Conduct and Discipline and Capability Procedures

Politically restricted posts

  • The Local Government and Housing Act 1989 limits some local government employees (according to status, salary level and the nature of the duties) from taking part in some types of political activities. If an employee is appointed to such a post he/she will be advised of this and given full details of the implications and any right of appeal. If an employee subsequently moves into a restricted category he/she will be advised of this on an individual basis

Code of conduct

  • All staff are subject to the Council’s Code of Conduct which sets out the high standards the public is entitled to expect from all local government employees

Equal opportunities

Waltham Forest Council is committed to creating a diverse workforce that both respects and reflects the communities it serves, and is thus able to improve the quality of our services. All employees are required to follow and implement the Council’s policies and to undergo any training associated with this

Smoke-free working environment

  • Smoking is not allowed in Council buildings

Car parking

  • Waltham Forest major sites have car-parking facilities at a very reasonable cost

Health and Safety policy

  • We aim to ensure a safe working environment for all. We monitor the implementation of our health and safety policy and provide training and guidance

More information

Human Resources Shared Service Centre (HRSSC)
Email: recruit@walthamforest.gov.uk