Employee Benefits
Annual Leave
All Full Time staff commence on 25 days paid leave per year plus Bank Holidays. Managers start on 28 days leave. The Executive team is entitled to 30 days leave per year and the Chief Executive to 32 days. Part Time employees are entitled to the same annual leave entitlement as Full time staff on a pro rata rate for the number of hours contractually worked each week.
Flexible working
A range of flexible working options are available and there is a policy and procedure that enable staff to propose working arrangements which we will every effort to accommodate when considered in conjunction with business need. Options available include part-time working, part home working, and different working patterns for school term time and holidays.
Flexitime
Most staff work flexitime which enables them to build up additional leave and provides flexibility in working hours, again subject to ensuring that services are properly staffed. The Executive Team is expected to opt out of the 48 hour working time directive.
Contributory pension scheme
A Friends Provident Pension scheme is open to all staff. Help and Care will match employee contributions of between 3% and 5% of gross annual salary, following the successful completion of the probationary period.
Childcare Vouchers
This benefit provides employees with vouchers to help them reduce the cost of childcare, including after school and holiday clubs. Staff can elect to receive up to £243 per month of their salary as vouchers. This amount is exempt from income tax and national insurance contributions, which could equate to up to an additional £943.80 per annum net pay.
Staff Counselling Service
Staff are able to access a maximum of five sessions of counselling per year which will be funded by Help and Care to help them address and deal with any personal issues. Details of the counsellors that work with Help and Care to provide this support are given to all staff. The service remains totally confidential and the organisation is billed without staff being identified.
Access to unpaid leave
Staff may request short unpaid breaks in addition to their annual leave entitlement, which are dealt with on a case by case basis.
Parking
Costs are paid by Help and Care when staff are based at offices where free parking is not available.
Training
Staff are encouraged to identify any training needs, for both personal and organisational development. Help and Care will support staff wherever possible when they wish to undertake training.
Support for further studies
If staff wish to undertake courses Help and Care will support them whenever possible, either through financial support or allowing some studying to be undertaken during working time.
Carers Leave
Two days paid leave is currently available to all staff with caring responsibilities.