Benefits and conditions

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Living wage

Newport City Council has voluntarily chosen to pay the living wage, an hourly rate set independently and updated annually, as we believe it is good for all of us in Newport. 

The current living wage is applied every April and, if applicable, is paid as a supplement.

Annual leave

We offer generous annual leave in addition to the statutory eight bank holidays per year.

Annual leave is calculated according to your length of service:

  • up to 5 years continuous local government service: 26 days
  • between 5 and 10 years continuous local government service: 30 days
  • over 10 years continuous local government service: 33 days
  • part-time employees have annual leave on a pro rata basis

The option to purchase up to one week of additional annual leave is also available.

Continuous service

The period of continuous service for statutory employment rights dates from the date you start work with us. 

If an employee has previous continuous service with an organisation covered by the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government) Modification Order 1999 this will be included in calculating the entitlement to:

  • redundancy payment
  • annual leave
  • occupational sickness scheme
  • occupational maternity scheme
  • maternity support scheme
  • adoption leave

With the exception of redundancy entitlement, this will also apply if, before joining the council, the employee was made redundant from an organisation covered by the above Order within the last two years.

Pension scheme

New employees are automatically enrolled into either: 

The pension scheme will help you save for your retirement and provides benefits such as death in service cover, spouse's pension and ill-health retirement - we also contribute to your pension.

You have the right to opt out of the pension scheme if you do not wish to be a member. 

Occupational sickness scheme

We have a sickness absence scheme and pay occupational sick pay as well as statutory sick pay.

Your entitlement will be based on your length of service:

  • 1st year of service = one month’s full pay and (after completing four months service), two months half pay
  • 2nd year of service = two months full pay and two months half pay
  • 3rd year of service = four months full pay and four months half-pay
  • 4th and 5th year of service = five months full pay and five months half pay
  • after five years of service = six months full pay and six months half pay

Maternity leave

We offer 26 weeks maternity pay with an additional 26 weeks unpaid leave and time to attend antenatal clinic - see our Family Friendly Policy (pdf).

We also offer shared parental leave (pdf).

Adoption leave

Leave and payments are outlined in the maternity scheme in our Family Friendly Policy (pdf). 

Work life balance

Supporting policies include maternity and paternity leave, time off for dependants, voluntary reduction in working hours, right to request to work flexibly, parental leave and job share.

Flexible working hours

We operate a flexible working hours scheme at many of our offices so that employees can start and finish work at a time that suits them as long as service needs are covered and contracted hours are worked.

Management approval is required before flexi leave is taken.

Training and development

Employee training and development is part of the council’s commitments to continuous improvement. 

Employee benefits

We offer a range of benefits for employees including:

  • discount card – receive discount in stores throughout the UK
  • My Rewards at NCC – a benefits website that includes online discounts and vouchers
  • cycle to work (salary sacrifice) – make savings on a new bike and accessories
  • car lease scheme (salary sacrifice) – a new car for fixed monthly amounts
  • discounted leisure facilities – corporate membership of Newport Live including unlimited use of fitness suites, swimming pools, fitness classes and health suite as well as a personalised training plan 

Eligibility criteria will apply and terms and conditions are available on request. 

Travel and subsistence

We aim to ensure that no employee is out of pocket while on duty away from their normal place of work and pay travel and subsistence expenses (pdf). 

Well-being

The council holds the Corporate Health Standard silver award, the Welsh Government’s quality mark for workplace health promotion in Wales. 

We offer employees free access to confidential advice and support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Information and advice in relation to family, personal, debt or workplace issues can be gven by telephone or online.

A counselling service is also available.

We offer free eye tests to any employee who uses display screen equipment as a significant part of their normal work.

Employees are able to attend free 1-2-1 health clinics to assess and discuss lifestyle habits, weight status, blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose levels.

We also offer advice and support about stopping smoking, healthy eating and physical activity and actively promote health and wellbeing within the organisation.