Benefits of working for us

We recognise the importance of having an attractive employment package to recruit and retain staff that display our values and achieve our aspirations. We have an exciting and broad range of employee benefits and work hard to constantly enhance these. Please find examples of the benefits of working for us below. 

Salary 

We offer competitive salaries and a progressive, graded pay structure. All salaries are reviewed annually and any pay award takes effect on 1 April. 

Flexible Working  

We are committed to flexible working. We have a flexitime system and are positive about flexible working and remote working requests from all employees (including new starters). 

Annual Leave  

Our generous annual leave scheme starts at 30 days, including bank holidays. This will rise according to the grade of the post. An additional five days are added after five years' continuous local government service. 

Pension

The Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) is a valuable part of our pay and reward package. All employees will automatically become members of the LGPS from day one, although there is an opt out option. The employee’s contribution is between 5.5% and 12.5% of pensionable pay depending on salary and the employer currently pays the balance of the cost of providing the benefits. There is also a 50/50 option where you can pay half the normal contribution and build up half the normal pension. It is a defined benefit occupational pension scheme (so how much you get depends on your salary and length of service, rather than how much you have paid in).

Life Assurance  

Ashford Borough Council’s Group Life Assurance Scheme provides 24 hour life assurance to all employees. Cover continues where employees are temporarily absent e.g. due to sickness or maternity/paternity leave. Cover ceases at normal retirement age or when the officer leaves the council’s employment.

Under the Scheme a lump sum benefit is payable to the Trustees of the Scheme (the Council) in the event of your death. This lump sum is equivalent to twice your basic gross annual salary. Under present law and Inland Revenue arrangements benefits may be payable free of inheritance tax. The benefits received in the event of a claim will be distributed in accordance with a confidential declaration made by you. In the absence of such a declaration, the benefit will be payable to your next of kin.

Essential Car User Allowance 

Where a car is necessary to carry out the duties of the job you will be entitled to a subsidised lease car or cash alternative. 

Occupational Sick Pay  

If you are unable to attend work due to sickness you will be entitled to occupational sick pay. 

Learning & Development  

We are committed to our employees’ learning and development. When you start with us your manager will discuss your work objectives and development needs with you and this will form the basis for your training. These will be reviewed annually in a personal development discussion as part of our appraisal process.  

Employee Discounts 

Our enviable employee discounts package will see you scooting to the shops (or online) to take advantage of the great discounts that we have available. Discounts are available at the Ashford Designer Outlet, supermarkets, restaurants and retailers. So from food to fashion, holidays to healthcare, DIY to days out, there will always be something for our employees to save some money on.  

Volunteering Programme 

Volunteering is a commitment of time and energy for the benefit of the community, environment, individuals or groups which can take many forms. We recognise the value of volunteering as an activity which helps others, creates stronger communities and contributes positively to all our lives.

It also enhances skills of staff, promotes good mental health and provides both personal development and team building opportunities with a feeling of ‘giving something back’. Our policy allows employees to experience new environments and to make a real difference outside of their usual working activities.

The policy is open to all employees, including employees on fixed term contracts but excluding agency workers and contractors.

Employees may apply for up to 3 days’ volunteering leave per year (pro rata for part time staff – for example, an individual on three full days per week would be entitled to 2 days per year).

Car Parking 

All employees have free car parking in various car parks in the town centre.  

Cycle Scheme 

Our Cycle To Work Scheme is a salary sacrifice scheme. You can use this to hire a bike and safety equipment and pay less tax and national insurance. 

Stour Centre Membership 

We are next door to the Stour Centre and employees can take full advantage of sports facilities and the swimming pool at reduced membership fees. Lunchtime classes are also available. Employees can also use their shower facilities after a lunch time run in the parks and footpaths around the council's office at International House. 

Socials 

We arrange a quarterly programme of social events for our staff each year and recently this has included; 

• Quiz night 
• Rounders 
• Staff Awards

Clubs 

Our employees run clubs which provide a brilliant opportunity to socialise, develop new interests and get to know your colleagues. Currently we have the following clubs: 

• Book club,
• Running club
• Badminton
• Five a side football

Wellbeing 

Our enhanced wellbeing offering includes a range of training and activities. These include: mental health resilience workshops, reimbursement towards flu jabs, discounts at a chiropractor and holistic beauty practitioner and reimbursement of eye tests and towards VDU glasses. 

Savings and Loans 

We also promote good financial health, so for the savers our payroll deduction is an easy and convenient way to save on a regular basis.  You will also have access to apply for 'Save As You Borrow Loans’ which will enable you to save a small amount at the same time as making repayments. 

Employee Assistance Programme  

Ashford Borough Council values the health and wellbeing of all employees. We have an employee assistance programme that can greatly help employees to achieve a positive balance in their lives. This is provided through a free, 24/7, information helpline and free counselling. 

Facilities  

We have recently moved our offices to International House, which is opposite Ashford International Station, and is a five minute walk from the town centre. The offices are mainly open plan with all the usual facilities.