Working at the Council
Full details of the following topics will be issued at the start of employment.
Conditions of Service
The basic Conditions of Service are laid down by the NJC for Local Government Services. They may be amended by Local Agreement.
Hours of Work
The standard full-time working week is 37 hours. This is worked between Monday and Friday. We operate a flexi-time system with daily working hours being flexible outside the stated core hours. Variations to the standard week would be outlined in the advertisement.
Probationary Period
The first six months of your employment will be a probationary period when your line manager will assess your suitability for the position to which you have been appointed. Managers will arrange an induction programme for new employees during their probation.
Pay
Employees are paid on salary points. Salaries are paid on the 25th of each month. Salary reviews are conducted annually, subject to satisfactory performance, increments may be awarded on 1 April each year until you reach the maximum position on the salary scale.
Annual Leave
The standard annual leave entitlement for staff in outlined below. Part-time and temporary staff entitlements are on a pro rata basis. In addition, employees are entitled to leave on Bank Holidays and Public Holidays that fall on their normal working days.
| | | Basic | | After 5 Years
Service |
| SCP 21 (and below) | | 22 | | 27 |
| SCP 22 to 28 | | 23 | | 27 |
| SCP 29 to 40 | | 25 | | 28 |
| SCP 41 (and over) | | 27 | | 30 |
Sick Pay
Employees will be paid their normal basic remuneration for any sickness absence in accordance with the sickness scheme.
| During 1st year of service* | | 1 months full pay + 2 months half pay |
| During 2nd year of service | | 2 months full pay + 2 months half pay |
| During 3rd year of serive | | 4 months full pay + 4 months half pay |
| During 4th and 5th years of service | | 5 months full pay + 5 months half pay |
| After 5 years of service | | 6 months full pay + 6 months half pay |
* After completing 4 months service
Business Travel
The successful applicant will be expected to use the pool car, subject to availability, for any travelling undertaken on behalf of the Council. if your own car is used you will be eligible to claim a mileage rate under North Dorset District Council's travel scheme.
Pension
All employees are eligible to join the Local Government Pension Scheme administered by Dorset County Council. This is a contributory pension scheme whereby the employee contribution is 6% of salary. Alternatively you can ‘opt-out’ and make different pension arrangements.
Smoking
The Council has a policy of no smoking within its offices, leisure centres and depots.
Training & Development
The Council regards people as its most valuable resource and encourages support and training for personal and professional development at all levels. The Authority are accredited members of ‘Investors In People’ ensuring that all staff are fully inducted when joining the organisation and formally appraised on a annual basis.
Trainees
Opportunities for trainee positions occasionally arise at North Dorset District Council. Please be aware that, as we are not a large organisation, we are not able to offer many trainee positions. As and when positions are available they are advertised in the usual way on our Jobs Section and via the local Job Centres and Papers.
We currently have trainees in positions within our Revenues and Benefits team and our Planning teams. Our Planning Trainees need to be graduates with a relevant degree and undertake a programme of professional and on-the-job training. Our Revenue and Benefits trainees follow a similar programme with a mix of formal and on-the-job training.
Modern Apprenticeships
Opportunities under the Modern Apprenticeship scheme also occasionally arise at North Dorset District Council. We currently have one Modern Apprentice in our Benefits and Revenues team. Details about opportunities under the Modern Apprenticeship scheme can be obtained from your local Connexions or Job Centre.
Trade Unions/Collective Agreements
The Council supports the system of collective bargaining and believes in the principle of solving employee relations problems by discussion and agreement. Details of the trade unions recognised by the Council for collective bargaining purposes are available from the Personnel Section.
Employees hold the right to join a trade union and to take part in its activities.
Welfare at work
All employees and their family members have the benefit of access to a confidential telephone counselling service that operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Experienced, professional counsellors can help with a wide range of personal and work-related problems.
Sports and Leisure
The Council offers members of staff free individual membership of its Leisure Centres with reduced rates for the use of its facilities; or an alternative option with free use of all facilities for £15 per month.
This covers Leisure Centres located at Blandford, Shaftesbury, Sturminster Newton and Gillingham.
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