What we can offer you
Everyone who works at the council, our values are aligned. We’re here for the same purpose, to help the residents of Leicester.
Craig Picknell, Head of Human Resources
What we can offer you
Craig Picknell, Head of Human Resources
Everyone who works at the council, our values are aligned. We’re here for the same purpose, to help the residents of Leicester.
Life at the council
We recognise how important it is for you to feel valued for the work you do. Supporting people is in our very nature and we work hard to support your health and wellbeing while you’re working for us.
As Leicester’s biggest employer, we want to shout about all the fantastic employee benefits we offer. From getting a brand-new custom-built car through our car salary sacrifice scheme, fantastic pension benefits, to great development opportunities and of course the annual leave entitlement.
Supporting your needs offering you the opportunity to develop and achieve your full potential. There is a real sense of being valued at the council, this is demonstrated by giving you the option to work flexibly and ensure they have a genuine balance between your work life and your private life.
Reward and benefits
Annual Leave
You’ll receive 22 days’ annual leave, rising to 27 after five years’ local government service, plus 4 extra statutory days or the equivalent in hours. You’ll also have the option to buy extra annual leave, subject to certain conditions.
Pension Scheme
The Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) is a tax approved, defined benefit occupational pension scheme. Your contributions are based on your earnings and you can choose from different income options when you retire.
Life Assurance
You’ll have life cover from the moment you join the Local Government Pension Scheme, offering a lump sum equal to two years’ pay if you die in service.
Employee Assistance Programme
You can contact a confidential counselling service for phone or face-to-face support at any time, 365 days a year.
Continuous Service
If you transfer from an eligible organisation, we offer a range of employment rights, including transfer of pensions and annual leave entitlement.
Maternity and Adoption Leave
You’ll be able to take up to 52 weeks’ leave. How much of this is paid leave will depend on how long you’ve worked for us.
Paternity and Adoption Leave
You can take up to 10 days’ paid leave at any time within 56 days of the birth of your child. If your child is adopted and you’ve worked for us for more than 26 weeks, this is paid leave from the date of the placement.
Car Benefit Scheme
You can pay a fixed monthly amount, taken from your salary, for a new car, covering insurance, servicing, maintenance and repairs, MOT, road tax, replacement tyres and breakdown cover. Terms and conditions apply.
Flexible Gym Membership
You’ll enjoy corporate rates for gym membership at a range of leisure centres across the city, offering gym, swim, group classes, sports halls and more.
Cycle2work Scheme
Leicester’s a great place to cycle and you can save on a new bike and accessories at a range of stores, including Halfords, Cycle Republic and hundreds of independent bike shops.
Staff Discount Offers
There are plenty of discounts and offers across the city, including travel, shopping, eating out, motoring and financial services.
Childcare Vouchers
You can choose to receive vouchers to save on the costs of childcare.
Travel Savings
Smartgo Leicester gives you discounted travel tickets on city buses and trains.
Relocation Scheme
If you’re moving to Leicester to join us, we may offer help with relocation, including support for removal, travel, and legal costs however this scheme is dependant on the role you've applied for.
Agile Working
Depending on your role, you could be eligible for agile working, which offers the flexibility to work at other locations, including home. You may also be able to work flexi time, taking extra hours you work as 'flexi' time at a point agreed with your manager.
Eye Tests
You can book eye tests at our mobile Eyepod Vision Service based in the City Centre on scheduled dates.
Employee Groups
Join any of our employee groups and forums and you can access support or help develop policies and procedures that affect staff.
IPRS Health
This 24/7 service offers you advice on musculoskeletal problems, managing simple injuries yourself and general wellbeing.
Occupational Health
This service aims to improve the health and wellbeing of everyone who works here. You can be referred by a health professional.
Fitness Activities
You can choose from a range of activities, including mindfulness sessions, Pilates, running club and yoga at lunchtime or after work.
Trade Union Membership
Join one of the trade unions and receive support and representation on any work-based issues.
Learning and development
We want all our people to have the opportunity to develop and achieve their full potential. That’s why we’re investing in providing a range of support, so they can build on and expand the skills and knowledge they need to do their work.
Join us and you’ll have access to a full range of development opportunities. These include job training, recognised qualifications, e-learning, workshops, coaching and mentoring, as well as opportunities to take part in projects, secondments or new job opportunities. It all starts with an induction that gives you guidance and support on working for us, whatever your level.
Depending on your role, you’ll also have the opportunity to apply to a wide range of apprenticeship schemes, including a leadership development programme, a social worker programme, and a childcare practitioner programme.
Focused on your wellbeing
To support your health and wellbeing while you’re working for us, we offer a range of free services. These include an occupational health service that gives you advice and support in your work.
You’ll also have access to a dedicated team of confidential counsellors, either by phone or face-to-face, 365 days a year. You’ll also be able to use a physiotherapy service if you’re recovering from an injury. Or, if you want to quit smoking, you’ll find there’s support to help you with that, too.
Supporting flexible working
If you’re looking for some flexibility in where or how you work, we’ll try to support you. Most of our people enjoy the option of flexible working hours, with different start and finish times, depending on their and our needs.
You could ‘earn’ up to 13 extra days off work under the scheme. Depending on your role, you may be able to work part of the day or part of the week. All our jobs are also potentially open to job share. It’s a great way for working parents to fit work around family responsibilities.
Some of our roles are also available for term time working. This means you’ll be on a permanent full or part-time contract, with the ability to take unpaid leave during the school holidays. If the role allows, you’ll have the flexibility to use work space at any of our locations. You also may have the option to work from home either permanently, or as and when you need to due to domestic or health reasons.
Benefits calculator
For an illustrative value of your benefits package, enter your salary below and then simply select the benefits that might apply to you. Our benefits calculator will automatically add it up and give you a running total.
Value of benefits: £0.00
Total reward: £0.00
General working benefits
Health and family benefits
Financial benefits
* Where appropriate** Based on the value of average sickness entitlement for public sector
Supporting others
We encourage our people to contribute to a variety of charitable causes. These include our Toys on the Table campaign for children and our Collect for Christmas Appeal to tackle homelessness.
You’ll also have the chance to apply for one day’s paid leave a year to do voluntary work in the community. This will be granted in line with the council’s needs.