Employee benefits
We offer a workplace where you can really make a difference in helping to provide a wide variety of services to around 138,000 people in North Ayrshire. We’ve put together a set of benefits and rewards to help you make the most of your time with us.
Looking after your finances
Competitive salary
We offer competitive salaries with annual progression, increasing until the top guaranteed point is reached. We strive to reduce inequality and poverty across North Ayrshire. Since 2021 we have paid the Living Wage.
Pension
We are part of the Local Government (LGPS) and Scottish Teachers (STPS) pension schemes. Membership of these schemes gives you a secure pension, peace of mind for your family and the opportunity to retire early or flexibly. You can also choose to pay extra to your pension pot, and benefit from a reduction in the tax and national insurance you pay through My Money Matters.
Shopping Vouchers
Our Employee Perks at Work scheme offers exclusive retail discounts. So, whether it’s your weekly shop, a visit to the cinema, updating your wardrobe, buying the latest gadget, or picking up some home or garden ware, you can save money with every purchase.
Credit Unions
As you will be working in North Ayrshire you can join one of our partner Credit Unions, Scotwest or 1st Alliance Credit Union, which bring people in our local community together to save and borrow at more favourable rates.
Looking after your health and wellbeing
Holiday Allowance
We all need a holiday sometimes. You’ll start with 32 days paid leave which will increase with service, up to 40 days (pro rata for part time employees). Your leave is inclusive of 12 public holidays, so you’ll have plenty of time to recharge your batteries.
Workstyles
Work life balance is important, and we believe that we can offer an enhanced service by allowing our employees to work in different ways. Our role-allocated workstyles offer flexibility around how and where employees work, meaning that you can balance your home and work life right from the start.
Sick Pay
There’s nothing more important than your health. If you need to take some time off sick, we have an occupational sick pay scheme. You’ll be supported during this time by your line manager and our great Occupational Health service – all of us working together to provide the right care so you can focus on getting better.
Occupational Health Scheme
Our Occupational Health Provider works with employees and the Council to address medical needs and occupational health issues whilst at work. If you do have to take time off, they will support your return to work and where appropriate can offer physiotherapy or counselling for conditions which may impact with your normal working activities.
Wellbeing schemes
It’s important to us that we support you inside and outside of work, that’s why we offer a range of activities to support wellbeing. Everything from an Employee Assistance Helpline, to our Work Life Balance scheme, to Mindfulness sessions. We’ve also got mental health first aid trained ‘Wellbeing Warriors’ who can provide a listening ear and signpost to support.
Cycle to Work Scheme
There’s lots of reasons you might want to cycle to work – it could be to exercise, to save money, or to cut down on your carbon footprint. Whatever your reason, our scheme gives you fantastic tax savings when buying a bike and accessories.
Healthcare Cash Plans
Our employees can take out a Health Plan with Health Shield. This plan gives money back for everyday healthcare costs such as visits to dentists, opticians, physiotherapists, and even health checks.
Discounted Gym Memberships
It’s much easier to hit the gym regularly when it’s on your doorstep. In North Ayrshire our employees can take advantage of a discounted membership with our partner KA Leisure. So, whether it is the gym, fitness classes, a swim or a round of golf, there’s something to suit everyone.
Looking after your career
Learning & Development
At North Ayrshire Council, a job isn’t just a job – it’s also an opportunity to develop your career. We’ll give all employees access to some great learning tools and for our managers we provide structured and progressive development within our Leadership Academy.
Top Class Training
We’re dedicated to making sure everyone working for us has the chance to be the best they can be. With a range of delivery methods and virtual training offerings we can reach out to our employees regardless of their location to give them the best training possible.
Looking after your loved ones
Maternity, Paternity & Parental Leave
We offer new parents one week of Maternity/Adoption Support leave on full pay (on top of the statutory entitlements) and an Occupational Maternity/Adoption pay scheme. Our work Life Balance Scheme, Special Leave Scheme, and Workstyles are also designed to support our employees return to work following the growth of their family.
Life Assurance
If you sign up to our workplace pension, you’ll get life assurance cover of up to three times your pensionable pay. Even if you do not opt into the pension fund, your family will still get £5,000 if you die in service from our Group Life Scheme.
Carer Positive
We are committed to embedding a positive culture of support for carers, recognising the demands of balancing work and caring responsibilities.
Looking after each other
Employee Recognition
Everyone at the Council pulls in the same direction, but when an individual or team really go above and beyond, we like to show our appreciation. That’s why we have our North Ayrshire Achieve Awards. Depending on the category, nominations can come from the public or even from colleagues.
Volunteering Days
As a Council we’re committed to giving back, and we also recognise that being able to offer your time and talents to a cause that you’re passionate about is good for the soul. We offer up to 14 hours of paid leave, so you can volunteer for a charity or cause that’s close to your heart.
Payroll Giving
How, and what, someone gives to charity is a personal decision – but if you’d like to make a regular commitment to a cause you care about, we’ll make it easier for you. Our payroll giving scheme means you can donate a portion of your pay tax free directly to a charity of your choice.
Our Time to Talk
It feels good to make a valuable contribution and be appreciated for it. Our Time to Talk process is an opportunity for managers and employees to take some dedicated time to check in, reflect on the previous 12 months, and look positively towards the next year ahead.
Workforce Representation
As an employer, North Ayrshire Council is committed to enabling its employees to participate in Trade Union activities. We recognise that an effective communication process takes place in consultation with the recognised Trade Unions and the process of collective bargaining.