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 is dependent upon your job grade, length of service and hours worked. The annual leave year starts from the 1st of the month in which you were born and entitlement ranges from 26 – 31 days (after 5 years services) and can range up to 32 days per year for senior posts.

Other leave
As well as maternity, adoption, paternity and parental leave, you have access to a range of additional leave benefits including maternity support leave, special leave, compassionate leave and stuck not sick days.

Work life balance
The council is committed to promoting work life balance and has many schemes that employees can make use of. These include flexi time, flexible working, job sharing and emergency time off work. An employee wellbeing survey undertaken in 2021 highlighted that flexible working is important to our employees. If your post is deemed suitable for flexi time, you could work between 6am – 10pm Monday to Friday, subject to agreement with your line manager. There is no expectation to work longer or later hours, this is about making work, work for you and to support caring responsibilities, decrease commuting pressures and support a better work life balance.

Hybrid working
We believe that work is what you do, not where you do it; subject to your role being suitable, we support hybrid working from home as well as working in other locations in the borough as necessary to meet your needs and the Council.

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 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 - https://www.twpf.info/

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 employees 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 within 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.
The occupational health team also provide regular on site clinics to provide advice on smoking cessation, alcohol consumption, diet and exercise and carry out blood pressure checks. Advice can also be given on travel health, stress management and a range of other topics. A confidential counselling service is in operation, where employees can self refer and be supported through personal or work related issues affecting their mental health.
As an additional well being provision we also have a physiotherapy service available for all staff.

Tax-free childcare
You can get up to £500 every 3 months (£2,000 a year) for each of your children to help with the cost of childcare.
If you get Tax-free childcare, the government will pay £2 for every £8 you pay you childcare provider through an online account. You can use it to pay for approved childcare.
You can get tax-free childcare at the same time as 30 hours free childcare if you're eligible for both.

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 employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
If the post for which you are applying will have responsibilities for children or vulnerable groups, you will be required 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 operates a Reserve Forces Policy to support both employees who are Reservists and their managers and sets out how the Council will support them whilst employed by the Council. The Council will ensure that employees 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.

Smarter Travel to and from work
There are lots of ways we are helping you to make an informed and smarter choice about the way you travel to and from work. This includes:

Cycling
The Council has a range of facilities including secure or sheltered bicycle parking facilities, lockers for personal belongings such as helmets and shower/changing facilities to support employees who choose to cycle either for or to work.

Cycle to Work Scheme
In partnership with Cyclescheme, South Tyneside Council is offering you savings on bicycle and safety equipment. You can find details on how to sign up and see a range of frequently asked questions on the Cycle to Work Scheme website.

Car Lease Scheme
Employees can benefit from the Car Lease Scheme which is available through salary sacrifice.
The Salary Sacrifice Scheme allows you to benefit from savings by giving up a portion of your salary in exchange for a brand new, fully-maintained, taxed and insured car for 3 years (other periods can be arranged) at a fixed monthly amount. No deposit is needed.
NHS Fleet Solutions are the leading salary sacrifice provider for cars in the NHS and wider public sector. NHS Fleet Solutions are able to secure car leases at the most competitive price.

Metro Business Passes
Colleagues based at a number of Council Offices can benefit from free travel on the Metro for council business. The Metro Business Passes can be used Monday to Friday, 9.30am until 5pm while on Council business. It allows you unlimited travel across the whole Metro system, and it is also valid on the Shields Ferry and on the Sunderland to Newcastle rail line.

The Metro Business Passes are available at South Shields Town Hall, Old Reception

Pop Pay As You Go (PAYG)
Pop Pay As You Go (PAYG) is the smart way to pay for public transport in North East England. Simply top up your Pop PAYG card and use it to pay for your journeys as you make them. There are lots of PAYG cards available in reception.
More information about PAYG cards - https://www.nexus.org.uk/ticket-information/pop/payg

Further benefits:

Corporate Leisure Membership
All staff can become a corporate leisure member with access to all six of our leisure facilities:
Haven Point
Hebburn Central
Jarrow Community Pool
Jarrow Focus
Monkton Stadium
Temple Park Centre
You can choose from any three membership options: Duo Activity, Multi Activity, Joint Membership (for 2 people in the same household).

Home Technology
The Home Electronics salary sacrifice scheme allows you to save money on home technology and spread the cost, with no deposits or hidden payments. You can have access to over 5,000 products including:
Laptops, Desktop computers, Tablets, Televisions, Smart technology, Games consoles, Domestic Appliances.
Airport Parking
Council employees can receive a discounted deal on holiday parking at Newcastle Airport.

Dell Advantage
Dell Advantage for employees allows you to purchase Dell products with special discounts that are not available to the general public:
5% off Inspiron, 10% off all XPS, Alienware, Inspiron Gaming, monitors and projectors,
20% off all other accessories (bags, keyboard, mice etc.) These offers can be combined with Dell's weekly deals for even greater discounts.

Hilton Honors
As a public sector employee, you're entitled to exclusive discount on the best available bed and breakfasts and Hampton by Hilton hotels.

Volunteering
The Council supports employees who want to volunteer within the Borough or for charities. You may be given up to 3 days paid leave per year or allowed to work flexible hours to do volunteer work.

Free flu vaccine
South Tyneside Council employees can benefit from a free flu vaccine.

Free will writing service
Employees can get a free basic will writing service. Their partner can also get a 50% discount. Postal charges still apply.