Why you should work for us

Annual leave

We offer all employees 28 days annual leave per year (pro rata for part-time employees), plus bank holidays. This increases to 33 after 5 years’ continuous service.

We also offer an annual leave holiday purchase scheme. You can buy up to 30 days (FTE) additional leave a year based on your weekly contractual working hours.

You can also apply to take periods of unpaid leave.

Flexible working options

We give staff the choice and flexibility, wherever possible, in when they work by providing the opportunity to change their work pattern (subject to service requirements).

This can be done by applying for agile/flexible working arrangements, including part-time, job share, and term time only (dependent on service needs).

Pension

West Northants Council offer employees a Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).

You pay a % based on your salary (before tax) and the Council pays a significant contribution too.

If you prefer, you can choose to pay less - where you pay half the normal contribution rate and build up half the normal pension (known as the 50/50 scheme). You can also make additional voluntary contributions.

In addition to a pension when you retire, employees also receive immediate life assurance cover (3 times your annual salary from day one) and ill-health protection.

Manage your pension online via the Northamptonshire Pensions website.

Maternity, paternity and adoption leave

We offer enhanced leave for employees with over one years’ continuous service.

Secondment opportunities

We know how valuable a secondment opportunity can be, particularly in developing new skills. While you are at your secondment placement, we will maintain regular contact to ensure that you are kept up to date with any changes and developments within your original job role.

Professional subscriptions and memberships

If your job description requires that you are registered with or are a member of a professional body, WNC will pay for your professional subscription or membership fees.

Volunteering

We offer time off for specific ‘volunteering’ - specifically Special Leave under the Leave Arrangements Policy.

This includes:

• Public Duties - such as a local authority or relevant health body, School Governor, Magistrate and Member of a statutory tribunal
• Reserve Forces – leave for training
• Reserve Forces – leave for active service (call-up)
• Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAV)

Colleagues can also support the community by taking up to half a day’s special paid leave to donate blood.

Employee lifestyle benefits

You can save hundreds or even thousands of pounds when shopping at local and national retailers – a variety of savings can be made across shopping, days out, finance, health and beauty, travel and eating out plus lots more.

We have lots of big-name brands who are participating in our scheme, including:

• Haven
• Argos
• Apple
• Primark
• iTunes
• New Look
• John Lewis
• AA
• VUE
• Alton Towers
• Legoland
• Vets4Pets
• Pizza Express 
• and many more 

(List correct as of January 2023)

Cycle to Work Scheme

Cycle2Work is a government approved salary sacrifice scheme allowing colleagues to loan a new bike and accessories up to the value of £2,000. WNC have partnered with Halfords to offer our colleagues this scheme at various points in the year.

Please note, this is not available to employees in their probationary period and is subject to purchasing windows.

Car Lease Scheme

Employees looking to buy a new car can take advantage of our Car Benefit Scheme from Tusker. There is no deposit, and the monthly payment is taken directly from your salary, saving you tax and national insurance.

Employees can make big savings through the scheme and take advantage of the motoring package.  

Please note, this is not available to employees in their probationary period.

Commsave Credit Union

Our employees can choose to take advantage of the services provided by the Commsave credit union, one of the largest credit unions in the UK, established since 1991. Membership is free, with no one-off or recurring costs and you can access your account 24/7 via the app and website. You will also benefit from peace of mind that your savings are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).

Commsave offer a variety of savings accounts including regular saving, Christmas saving, holiday savings, tax savings and more, as well as loans for a variety of purposes such as personal loans, homeowner loans and consolidations loans. 

To find out more, visit https://www.commsave.co.uk/

Fostering Friendly

West Northants Council has been accredited as a foster-friendly employer by the Fostering Network as part of our commitment to offering dedicated policies and support to our employees who foster.

Our HR policy provides staff who foster children and young people extra support in balancing their work and caring responsibilities as part of its acknowledgment of the importance and value of the role for children, young people and families.

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

We have a free, corporate paid confidential externally provided Employee Assistance Programme. It is designed to help you deal with any personal or professional problems which could be impacting on your general health and wellbeing.

This is available for employees and their immediate family members 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year (366 days in a Leap Year!). It includes telephone counselling, legal advice, bereavement support and medical information.

We also offer regular wellbeing drop-in sessions with our Workplace Wellbeing Advisor.

Access to Work Mental Health Support Service

Employees also have access to support from Access to Work Mental Health Support Service. They provide free, confidential support over 9 months for any employee with:

• depression
• anxiety
• stress 
• other mental health issues affecting their work

Mental Health First Aiders

A number of our employees are trained as Mental Health First Aiders and are available to support colleagues.  

Wellbeing rooms

All our offices have wellbeing rooms. They are private, quiet and relaxing spaces for colleagues to use.

These spaces can be used for nursing mothers (and a specific fridge for storing expressed milk), quiet contemplation, prayer, or reflection.