We value our employees and want to attract, motivate and retain the best staff.
To recognise the importance we place on our people, by joining us you can take advantage of some of the many staff benefits:
The Council’s Agile Working Policy sets out a framework enabling staff to carry out duties in a more flexible and adaptable way, whilst ensuring the needs of the service are met.
We understand the challenges parents face and to make life easier we offer a range of generous, family friendly policies, including Maternity/Adoption Leave, Paternity Leave, Shared Parental Leave, Maternity Support Leave and Time Off for Dependents. The Government’s Tax-Free Childcare Scheme is also available to help working families with a child/children under 12 years old with their childcare costs.
We offer a range of flexible working arrangements to help employees improve their work-life balance, including part-time working, job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time working, compressed hours and a career break scheme.
We encourage learning and development and provide a range of opportunities to support personal development and career progression. Our offer includes an induction period to help new starters settle in and learn how the Council works, access to our eLearning platform BBOLT which provides a wide range of courses staff can complete when and from anywhere that suits them, apprenticeship programmes and training delivered in-house or by external experts.
Employees can consider an apprenticeship as a route to gaining further qualifications, providing it is appropriate to their role and career development. Apprenticeships cover a wide range of occupational areas and levels up to degree qualifications.
Financial assistance for career development is available for staff to undertake qualifications and training opportunities to enhance their career.
We recognise the many benefits of membership of professional bodies to individuals and to the Council, and will therefore cover the costs of an individual's professional subscription or membership fee where it is an essential requirement of their role (subject to eligibility criteria).
Provided by Care First, this programme offers free, confidential counselling and a wide range of information and support on work, family and personal issues to those directly employed by the Council and their families
Our employees' health and wellbeing is vital to us. The Council's in-house Occupational Health and Wellbeing Service offers rapid and easily accessible support which includes medical referrals, health screening, work place assessments, specialised health checks and health promotions.
The Westfield Health Cash Plan offers staff discounted premiums and cash back on healthcare costs such as optical, dental, physiotherapy and more for as little as £6.52 per month. An extensive rewards scheme is also included that gives members access to a range of discounts from various retailers. Visit www.westfieldhealth.com/advantage-portal for more information.
Our many networking forums include an Early Careers Network, Menopause Network, Christian Network, LGBTQ+ Network, African, Caribbean and Asian Employee Network and an Apprentice Network. Staff can meet and discuss topics relevant to them.
The Wellbeing Champions provide information, promote wellbeing activities and initiatives to staff, and a lot more besides.
We provide a staff discount scheme through Kaarp Benefits and provides discounted shopping, dining, days out, travel and much more.
Staff can currently park free of charge in Council car parks whilst attending work.
Help tackle climate change and reduce congestion. The Cycle to Work Scheme is a Government-backed scheme which allows employees to claim a voucher to buy a new bike to cycle to work. The cost of the bike can then be paid back with tax free deductions from their salary.
If travelling to work by train, the Rail Season Ticket Loan Scheme is available to employees with a contract of at least 12 months, to apply for an interest free loan from the Council to buy an annual rail season ticket for their journey to work.
The Council operates an Assisted Car Purchase Scheme that provides loans to designated car users who need a car to carry out their official duties.
For a more sustainable way to travel to meetings and appointments eBikes, located at Borough Hall in the underbuilding car park, are available to loan. The scheme is open to all Bedford Borough Council employees, once they have completed an induction with the Sustainable Transport Team.
Three pool cars are available through Enterprise Car Club and are free for all staff to use to make work-related journeys.
Contributory career average salary local government (LGPS)** pension scheme (variable contribution rates). LGPS members have access to a salary sacrifice shared cost Additional Voluntary Contribution (AVC) scheme by way of a tax-free deduction through payroll, facilitated by AVC Wise.
There is a total smoking ban throughout the Council’s offices (this includes the use of e-cigarettes).
Staff can claim some of the costs incurred when relocating to take up an offer of employment (subject to eligibility criteria)
These are all in addition to the attractive terms and conditions:
* A discounted parking scheme is in place for staff whilst working, charges are currently suspended.
**Posts covered by NJC and Soulbury terms and conditions.