Staff benefits
We provide a range of benefits to our employees:
Pay
For some posts within the Council, we operate a performance related pay (PRP) system designed to reward achievement, not length of service, and give you the extra incentive to help us improve the quality of our services. The performance year usually runs from 1 April to 31 March and you will need to take up your post by 1st December to qualify for a PRP assessment at the end of the performance year.
Holiday
We offer generous annual leave, which is based on employee’s salary point and length of service and will be between 23 to 30 days. After completing 5 and 10 years service, an employee becomes entitled to additional leave.
Season Ticket Loan
Interest free loans are available for public transport season tickets, repayable in ten equal monthly installments.
Childcare
Westminster employees can benefit from a significant reduction in the cost of childcare by changing the way they pay for any registered childcare (for children under 15 years old) and signing up to a salary sacrifice Childcare Voucher scheme.
In addition, employees benefit further at Buffer Bear Nurseries in the City of Westminster which enables employees with children under 5 to have priority for a nursery place.
Employee Assistance Programme
As a Westminster City Council employee you will have access 24/7 to a free employee helpline so you can speak to professionals/counsellors for advice about your personal, financial and emotional issues.
Pension Scheme
We offer a final salary pension scheme. On joining the Council, you will be entitled to become a member of the Local Government Pension scheme. Your contribution to the pension scheme equates to 6% of your pay, though tax relief is applicable.
See here for further information on the Pension Scheme.
Training & Career Development
Westminster provides Training and Development opportunities for all levels of staff, covering training for work specific topics, general management courses and a developmental mentoring scheme. Our aim is to develop staff in order to achieve the Council’s aims and objectives.
Work Life Balance
The Council has developed Work-Life Balance framework which provides a range of generous pay and leave benefits, including flexible working hours, maternity, adoption and paternity provisions, homeworking and job share schemes, sabbatical leave, special leave, and the right to request flexible working where staff have children aged under 6 years old or have caring responsibilities for relatives.
Staffcard
All Westminster City Council employees will receive a Staffcard, after 6 months service, which entitles them to great discounts on various attractions as well as cinemas, theatres, restaurants and sports centres throughout the Westminster area (including free swimming).
Sabbatical Leave Scheme
Employees who have completed 5 years service may take an unpaid career break of up to one month. Employees who have completed 7 years service may take up to one month's paid leave and up to two months’ unpaid leave. Sabbatical leave may be used for personal development, travel or for following outside interests.
Rewarding Excellence Awards
The Rewarding Excellence Awards Scheme recognises and rewards excellent achievements which are above and beyond the employee’s normal job remit. The awards consist of an Annual Award of £5,000 and a Quarterly Award of £1,000 per department.
Senior Management Posts
If you are applying for a job at Senior Management Level (SMG), there are also some
additional benefits on offer.
