Contract and Pension

Over and above your basic salary and the excellent learning and development opportunities we offer you a permanent or fixed term contract of employment and the choice of a competitive occupational pension scheme and stakeholder pensions, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you.

For further information visit the Civil Service Pensions website

Annual Leave

We offer a generous annual leave allowance of 25 days (increasing to 30 days after 7 years service) plus an extra 2.5 days 'privilege' days leave, plus public holidays. Please note that if the current pay offer is accepted then from 1 October 2009 annual leave will increase to 30 days after 5 years service.

Working Environment

We provide a working environment where we respect the contribution you make to the organisation and value the differences individuals bring to the workplace. In their own way everyone plays an active role in the success of HSL. We provide a supportive environment based on teamwork, provide access to a wide range of information technology and collective and individual representation. We provide an opportunity for you to make a difference to the working lives of others.

Work Life Balance

We value our employees and recognise that you may need to combine work with the demands of family life so we are committed to family friendly policies including paid family leave (paternity leave, adoption leave and excellent maternity leave allowances).  In addition we can offer flexible working arrangements, including part-time and, subject to business needs, alternative working patterns. To deal with emergencies, special leave, paid and unpaid, is available depending on certain conditions.  We also offer a salary sacrifice scheme to help you pay for childcare costs.

Support

We have an independent counselling service, provided by Right Corecare. They offer confidential help and advice for any issue you might be having. They have two free phone numbers that are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

You will be encouraged to join the appropriate Trade Union and to play an active part in it.  HSE recognises 3 trade unions for the purposes of negotiating pay and other terms and conditions, and individual representation if necessary.

Your Health

Being a Civil Servant means that you can apply to become a member of the Benenden Healthcare Society, who are a non-profit organisation. For as little as £1.10 per week you can get the first class medical help you need, when you need it most.

For further information visit the Benenden Healthcare Society website

You will have regular assessments to help you work safely with IT equipment, including free eye tests and help towards the cost of spectacles if it is determined that you need them for VDU work.

Travel and Transport

You can apply for an interest free loan towards the purchase of an annual travel season ticket or a bicycle.

Subscription-based Benefits

The Civil Service Motoring Association (CSMA) is the UK's largest private home, leisure and motoring organisation. They offer their 350,000 members exclusive and money saving benefits.

For further information visit CSMA's web site

The Civil Service Benevolent Fund (CSBF) is one of the largest occupational benevolent funds in the UK and the principal charity for Civil Service staff and their financial dependants. In previous years they have awarded nearly £3.5 million to people who had nowhere else to turn in times of unforeseen misfortune. We aim to provide services, which meet the changing needs of a modern Civil Service workforce. 

For further information visit the Civil Service Benevolent Fund website

Sports and Social

There is an active Sports and Social Club at Buxton providing the opportunity for a wide range of sporting and social activities during and outside office hours.

Smoking

There is a no smoking policy in all HSL (and HSE) offices and buildings. You must make sure you understand and can accept this policy before applying.