Benefits of 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. Below you can find a list of benefits of working for us.

Annual leave and other types of 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 to 31 days (after 5 years service) and can range up to 32 days per year for senior posts.

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.

Flexi time

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 to 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

Subject to your role being suitable, we support hybrid working from home as well as working in other locations in the borough to meet your needs and the Councils.

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.

We are committed to providing a range of support and opportunities to maintain employee health, wellbeing and safety whilst at work.

Counselling

The Council operates a confidential counselling service, where employees can self refer and be supported through personal or work related issues affecting their mental health.

Physiotherapy

As an additional wellbeing provision a physiotherapy service is available for all employees.

Employee wellbeing group

Our employee wellbeing group drives forward the Employee Wellbeing Strategy and helps develop other initiatives that will help to enhance the health and wellbeing of our employees.

Equality Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging

We are passionate about equality, diversity, inclusion and belonging (EDIB) and want to provide a safe working environment where everyone feels they can bring their authentic self to work.

That's why we have a number of EDIB Networks set up across the Council to create an inclusive culture where everyone feels valued.

Paid volunteering

The Council supports employees who want to volunteer within the Borough or for charities.

This could be:

community care work
environmental work and conservation projects
fundraising for community projects or charities

You may be given up to 3 days paid leave per year or allowed to work flexible hours to work on specific projects.

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) and 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 Teachers' Pensions and the Tyne and Wear Pension Fund.

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. We will make sure that employees who are Reservists do not suffer any detriment during employment. The policy also outlines the commitment and procedures for staff who are mobilised and then return to work.

Training and development

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.

Relocation

We have a Relocation Expenses Scheme that applies to all new employees (except for school based employees) who are required to move home for their job.

This scheme must be authorised by the relevant Head of Service.

Further details can be provided by the hiring manager.

Access to Local Government resources (LGIU)

You can access local government resources through The Local Government Information Unit (LGIU), by signing up for a free membership.

The local government resources you can access include:

news
policy briefings
research programmes
discounts on sector-specific training and more

Your free membership can help you:

stay informed and updated with daily news updates, briefings and reports
refresh your skills with a 25% member discount towards training sessions or in-house trainings for your council
get involved by showcasing projects through news articles and interviews or attending member-only panel discussions

You can sign up to a free membership on the LGIU website.

Exclusive offers to our staff

Travel (healthier, cheaper, more modern)

Cycle to work
Travel passes
Car lease
NHS fleet
Staff parking

Health and Wellbeing (feel-good discounts and freebies)

Activewear
Corporate leisure membership
Free flu vaccine
South Tyneside MOT

Work / Life (supporting your hobbies and holidays)

Volunteering
Customs House
Reserve forces leave policy
Concert for Carers
Airport parking discount

Future (helping you plan ahead)

Free will writing service

Home technology (offers on personal technology)

Dell Advantage
EE Advantage
Home technology