Why you'll want to work for us
As a place to work, Great Places is up there among the very best. We have been voted 58th in the Sunday Times Top 100 UK Companies to work for - a great honour that was awarded thanks to staff who filled in surveys about their working life.
Talk to our employees and you’ll sense a definite feelgood factor. We don’t make profits but we do make people’s lives better.
We support all sorts of communities and we do it with creativity, commitment and sheer, unbridled enthusiasm. In return for their skills and dedication, the people who work for us enjoy great benefits and working conditions. It’s our quest to make sure everyone feels valued and that they get the right opportunities to stride onwards and upwards in their careers.
We’re proud of the diversity of our personnel – 25% black minority and ethnic, 3.5% with a disability and 72% female – and we have an extensive communications network, plus an employee engagement officer, to make sure everyone’s in the loop, all the time.
We work hard but we enjoy ourselves too. We want you to arrive at work each day with a broad grin and a spring in your step.
Working hours
Our standard working week is 35 hours per week
Flexible working
Our working arrangements are some of the most flexible around. As long as you can fit in with the needs of your team, you could work a nine-day fortnight, a four-day week, standard flexi, or work only in term-times. If it’s practical, we’ll arrange job-share where we can.
Annual leave
Full timers get 26 days holiday plus up to three extra at Christmas. After two years’ continuous service, you will start to gain additional days, up to a maximum of 30 days
Reward policy
Each April staff receive a basic award to reflect increases in the cost of living. In addition, those who have completed their probationary period are eligible to be considered for bonuses or pay rises, which are performance related.
Child care vouchers
Our child care vouchers enable you to save both Tax and National Insurance on up to £243 per month (up to £1,195 per year) and can be used for all registered carers for children up to the age of 16.
Company maternity and paternity pay
Regardless of length of service, women are entitled to 52 weeks’ maternity, including 39 weeks at full pay. New fathers are entitled to up to 10 days' paid paternity leave to be taken three months either side of the birth.
Company pension
You will have the option to join the Social Housing Pension Scheme which is managed by the Pensions Trust.
Attendance Extra
This twice yearly award recognises staff with 100% attendance records. Everyone is eligible to enter the draw for three prizes of £250 each.
Personal development
There are all sorts of opportunities for career development. We support staff studying qualifications relevant to their post and in most cases fund some, if not all, of the fees.
Secondment policy
This provides opportunities for people who want to work in another team or setting, to further their professional and personal development.
Travelling expenses
If you use your car to travel on company business on a casual basis, we will pay you 40p per mile. If you are classified as an essential car user, you will receive £89 per month plus 40p per mile.
Professional fees
We will reimburse the full cost of any relevant professional fees.
Company sick pay
If you are absent from work due to sickness, you are eligible to receive company sick pay. This is dependent on length of service and increases to six months' full pay and six months' half pay after five years’ continuous service.
These benefits may vary depending on your post and location.