Benefits and Rewards

We offer a wide range of flexible and family friendly employment initiatives and working arrangements to the majority of our employees.

These are aimed at creating a positive working environment in which employees are able to work to their full potential and achieve a healthy work-life balance.

Pension Scheme

We offer membership to the Greater Gwent (Torfaen) Pension Fund which is part of the national Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).

The council pays a substantial amount to help fund all benefits of the scheme, which include tax relief on pension contributions, the opportunity to exchange pension for a lump sum on retirement, ill health retirement provisions, pensions for surviving benefits if they die and life cover of three years actual pay.

The LGPS is a statutory scheme. This means that it is very secure because the amount members are paid in retirement is defined and set out in law.

More information about the scheme can be found at the Greater Gwent (Torfaen) Pension Fund website.

Generous Annual Leave Entitlement

We offer employees generous annual leave entitlements in addition to the 9 statutory bank holidays per year. Your annual holiday allowance is calculated according to length of service.

Most staff have a basic annual leave entitlement of 30 days per year (pro rata for part-time staff). This rises to 34 days per year after 5 years continuous service. This may differ slightly for different groups such as teachers.

Agile Working

The standard working week for most staff is 37 hours but we operate an agile working model in line with the needs of the service area.

We recognise that agile working provides benefits to us and employees and is a key mechanism in helping employees achieve a better work-life balance.

We provide IT equipment that supports agile working and enables working from home and many other remote locations.

We also offer a full range of family friendly and work life balance policies.

  • Adoption leave and carers leave
  • Career break scheme
  • Maternity and paternity leave
  • Parental leave
  • Job Share policy

Cycle to Work Scheme

The Cycle to Work Scheme is a government initiative that encourages alternative travel and reduces our environmental impact. Not only does it reduce your carbon footprint, but it also allows you to spread the cost of getting a new bike, save on Income Tax and National Insurance (where applicable) and improve your health and fitness.

Discount Leisure Membership

CCBC Sport & Leisure Services offer a corporate membership that all staff are eligible are eligible to claim. Services are spread over 10 sites across the county borough with a variety of memberships available to cater to your specific needs.

There are two corporate membership packages:

Active Lifestyle Swim Corporate – Access to public swim and all water based activities e.g. Aqua aerobics - £16.00 per month by Direct Debit (no contract).

Active Lifestyle Plus Corporate - Access to public swimming sessions, fitness suites, fitness classes, health suites and racquet sports (including badminton, squash, table tennis, short tennis) - £23.10 per month by Direct Debit (no contract).

If you need any further information please contact the Customer Service Team on 01443 863072 or via email Leisure@caerphilly.gov.uk.

Employee Assistance Programme

Our Employee Assistance Programme, Care First offers emotional and practical support for issues at work and at home.

The services are available both online and through a Freephone number 24/7.

Support is available in a number of ways:

A telephone counselling service, providing advice, information and support 24/7, 365 days of the year.

Access to free and impartial information, advice and support, to help you find practical answers to real life questions. Common subjects include family and personal issues, finance/debt management, benefits, employment, childcare provision, health, writing wills and consumer matters.

An online health and wellbeing service with a vast resource of regularly updated articles and information designed to help you manage a healthy lifestyle.

A website and mobile app which provides free interactive health and personal fitness support.

 

Green Car Scheme

Our Salary Sacrifice Car Scheme is a government sponsored initiative to provide a leasing arrangement for low emission cars.

The council believes this is a good way to support employees during these tough economic times and the scheme will also help reduce carbon emissions in line with the authority's sustainability agenda.

The scheme allows you access to a brand new, fully maintained and insured car for a fixed monthly amount. All you need to do is add fuel.

Health Care

We offer a free eye test for staff that use display screen equipment (DSE) and free or money towards glasses.

Designated employees (carers) get a free flu jab.

We are committed to ensuring best practice with regard to Occupational Health Monitoring and Surveillance. All work activities that present a potential hazard to employees will be identified, risk assessed and where appropriate, Occupational Health Surveillance Management systems will be implemented to protect and monitor the ongoing health of employees.

Real Living Wage Employer

We have committed to being a Real Living Wage Employer

The Real Living wage is an hourly rate set independently and updated annually, currently £12.00 per hour, calculated according to the basic cost of living in the UK. We have chosen to pay the Real Living Wage on a voluntary basis believe that it is good for the Council, for the individual and for society.

Staff Learning and Development

We are committed to ensuring that our employees have the right skills, knowledge and experience to carry out their roles and develop to fulfil their potential.

A wide range of opportunities for learning and development are available within the workplace. All new employees undertake an induction to help them settle in and understand more about the council.

We also encourage and support employees continued professional development.

Trade Unions

All employees have the opportunity to join a Trade Union. For a monthly fee union members have access to free legal advice and assistance, welfare assistance and a whole range of discounted benefits and full representation in the workplace.