Pre Employment Checks / Terms and Conditions of Employment / Probationary Period / Salary / Hours of Work / Annual Leave / Pension / Notice Period / Sickness Absense / Membership of a Trade Union / Equal Opportunities / Individual Needs of Disabled Applicants / Training and Development Policy / No Smoking Policy

Pre Employment Checks

References will either be taken up in writing for all shortlisted candidates either prior to interview or for the successful candidate after interviews. In any event, any offer of employment is subject to appropriate satisfactory references being received.

Some offers of employment are subject to a satisfactory medical report. Some new employees to the Authority will be asked to complete a confidential questionnaire, which will be submitted to the Council's Occupational Health Adviser who may ask you to attend for a medical examination. In other cases, prospective employees will be asked to complete a medical declaration and may then be referred to the Occupational Health Adviser for further consideration.

For some posts, involving direct access to vulnerable adults and children employment is subject to a satisfactory Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check.

Terms and Conditions of Employment

For most posts, the National Conditions of Service of the National Joint Council for Local Authorities Services and the South West Provincial Employers (commonly known as the Green Book) as supplemented by the Council's own local conditions, will apply.

Probationary Period

New appointments to local government service will be subject to the satisfactory completion of a probation period generally of six months.

Salary

The salary for the post is as advertised. Salary for part time posts is pro rata. Salary is paid monthly by bank credit on 28th of each month.

Hours of Work

The standard office based working week for the Authority is a five day 37 hour week 8.30am to 5.00pm Monday to Thursday and 8.30am to 4.30pm on Friday; however the hours relating to the post you have applied for may vary from these. A generous flextime scheme applies to some jobs within the authority.

Annual Leave

The annual leave entitlement for new appointees to local government is 25 days, rising to 30 days after 5 years service. In additional there are 8 paid public holidays in a year. Annual leave for part time staff is pro rata.

Pension

All employees are automatically admitted to the Local Government Pension Scheme from which there are opt out provisions. It is a contracted out scheme and the contribution level is 6% of salary.

Please note that the normal age of retirement for Council employees is 65.

Further Pension Information

Notice Period

The notice period required is dependent on individual contracts but in most cases employees must give the Council at least four weeks' notice of their intention to end employment. Permanent employees would generally be entitled to receive a minimum of 4 weeks' notice (depending on individual contracts) and, with more than 4 years' service, a week per year of service up to a maximum of 12 weeks', depending on service.

Sickness Absence

The entitlements during any absence due to sickness or injury are as follows:

• During 1st year of service, one months' full pay and (after 4 months' service) two months' half pay
• During 2nd year of service, 2 months' full pay and 2 months' half pay
• During 3rd year of service, 4 months' full pay and 4 months' half pay
• During 4th and 5th years of service, 5 months' full pay and 5 months' half pay
• After 5 years service, 6 months' full pay and 6 months' half pay.

Membership of a Trade Union

As an employer, Bath & North East Somerset Council supports collective bargaining and employees are encouraged to join a relevant trade union.

Equal Opportunities

The Council is committed to achieving equality of opportunity in employment and has a general policy statement as well as a number of more detailed policy frameworks in this respect.

Our Equal Opportunities Policy has the full support of the recognised trade unions, and all our employees are responsible for its implementation, whatever their job. We will work to make sure that all employees receive training to help them identify and eliminate discrimination wherever it occurs.

The Authority has adopted recruitment procedures, which are intended to ensure that equality of opportunity exists in its recruitment process and that appointments are made on merit.

The Council supports worker challenge groups for Black & Minority Ethnic staff, Disabled staff and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender staff.

The Council has a job share policy and it may be possible to consider applications to full time jobs from people who are seeking to work on a job share. If you wish to apply on a job share basis, please make this clear on your application form.

Individual Needs of Disabled Applicants

When completing the Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form, please bear in mind the Council's definition of disability as follows:

Bath & North East Somerset Council acknowledges that disability is not caused by the individual disabled person's particular impairment, but the way in which society fails to meet their needs. The term "Disabled People" has been adopted by the Council based on this definition and includes people with physical and sensory impairments, learning difficulties, and mental/emotional distress.

Disabled applicants may have individual needs in relation to the selection and interview process and every effort will be made to accommodate these. Disabled applicants are encouraged to identify any assistance or adaptation which would assist at interview and in undertaking the job applied for (eg sign language interpreter, level access, etc). The Council works closely with the Employment Service to provide facilities and support for disabled people in employment.

If you wish to be considered for a guaranteed interview under the '2 ticks' scheme, please confirm that you give permission for your details to be passed to the recruiting manager. You will only be guaranteed an interview if your application meets the essential criteria of the job.

Training and Development Policy

The Council is committed to providing an efficient, effective and appropriate service to the community which it serves and will ensure that its staff have the necessary skills and knowledge to achieve this goal.

No Smoking Policy

The Council has a "No Smoking Policy" which applies to all staff.