Working for South Tyneside Council
Employee terms, conditions and benefits
South Tyneside Council is the largest employer in the Borough.
As an employer of choice, we make sure that our employment policies and practices are always up-to date.
Benefits of working for us include:
Annual leave
Entitlement to annual leave depends on your job grade, length of service and hours worked.
The annual leave year starts from the first day of your birth month.
Entitlement can range up to 32 days per year.
Other leave
As well as maternity, adoption, paternity and parental leave, you have access to other leave benefits including:
- maternity support leave
- special leave
- compassionate leave
- stuck not sick days
Work life balance
The Council is committed to promoting work life balance and has many schemes that employees can use, including:
- flexi time
- flexible working
- job sharing
- emergency time off work
Pension scheme
Unless you are employed on a contract of three months or less, you will automatically join the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) or Teachers Pension Scheme (TPS) depending on your role.
Your contribution rate depends on how much you are paid, but it will be between 5.5 and 7.5 12.5% (LGPS) or 7.4 and 11.7% (TPS) of your salary.
When you retire your benefits can include an index linked retirement pension and a tax free lump sum.
The scheme also provides for ill health and death benefits.
Visit the Tyne and Wear Pension Fund website.
Training
South Tyneside Council has a positive policy towards identifying and meeting the training needs of all its employees.
It is a condition of employment that staff are prepared to participate in any training courses which are felt to be appropriate to their needs.
Most training needs will be met within the organisation however you may be required to attend job related short courses.
Health and wellbeing
The Occupational Health Service in the Council is delivered by a team of professionals who carry out a wide range of employee services including clinical assessments, medicals and health surveillance.
They also provide regular on site clinics to provide advice on smoking cessation, alcohol consumption, diet and exercise and carry out blood pressure checks.
They can give advice on travel health, stress management and a range of other topics.
Childcare Benefits Scheme
The Childcare Benefits Scheme allows employees who are legally responsible for caring for a child up to the age of 15 (16 if your child has a disability) to save money on their registered childcare.
The scheme operates through a salary sacrifice agreement where up to £55 a week can be sacrificed directly from your salary to the childcare provider.
Employees don't pay tax or National Insurance Contributions on the amount sacrificed.
Travelling expenses
If you are invited for interview, travelling expenses are payable based on public transport rates and/or standard rail fare.
Disclosure and Barring Service
South Tyneside Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
If the post you are applying for will have responsibilities for children or vulnerable groups, you will need to apply for a standard or enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Reserve Forces Policy
South Tyneside Council recognises the valuable contribution that members of the Reserve Forces (Reservists) can make to the UK Armed Forces, their communities and the civilian workplace.
The Council has a Reserve Forces Policy to support employees who are Reservists and their managers/
The policy sets out how the Council will support them whilst employed by the Council.
The Council will make sure that staff who are Reservists do not suffer any detriment during employment, and outlines the commitment and procedures to following for those who are mobilised and then return to work.