Core staff benefits at the County Council

We offer a supportive and friendly working environment. See below for a quick summary of what our employment package includes.

Life Wise benefits

A range of flexible working initiatives to help staff balance their work and life commitments.
Excellent maternity and paternity benefits, with up to 26 weeks' paid leave for mothers and two weeks' paid leave for fathers (adoption leave is also available).
A final-salary pension scheme.
A minimum of 24 days annual leave (including two days at Christmas), plus additional days depending on length of service and grade.
A career-break scheme that allows staff to take between six months' and five years' unpaid leave.

Occupational sick pay, Dependent care leave and Compassionate leave – if you are ill, you will receive occupational sick pay (after one year of employment, subject to certain terms). The amount can range from one month to six months on full pay and six months on half pay. For your first year, you will not receive sick pay, but you can claim statutory sick pay.
Award-winning health promotion initiatives – we provide an occupational health service to support you throughout your time at the Council. We operate a public sector healthcare scheme with Benenden for you and your family to invest in. We also offer a corporate health plan through the HSA that lets you receive money towards the cost of dental, optical, osteopathic and other health treatments for a monthly contribution deducted directly from your salary.
Staff counselling service - up to five fully funded and strictly confidential professional counselling sessions available to all staff.

Interest-free season ticket loans for buses and trains.
Reduced rates for buses.
Facilities for cyclists, including a Bike User Group (BUG), a Cycle2Work scheme, covered cycle parking and showers in some of our offices.
Vehicle leasing scheme — after one year of service a new vehicle may be leased from the Council for a period of three years.
A car share club with designated parking spaces at our main offices at County Hall in Lewes and St Mary's House in Eastbourne.

Employment decisions are based solely on job-related, objective criteria.
As a Stonewall Diversity Champion we are working positively to promote equality in the workplace for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual (LGB) people.
As a member of the Employers' Forum on Disability we have access to the most up-to-date best practice guidance and support.
Our flexible working initiatives help staff to balance their work and their other needs and commitments, whether they have carer responsibilities, are managing a disability, or require time off for religious observance.
Registered Disability Symbol user – recognition given by Jobcentre Plus to employers who have agreed to take action to meet five commitments regarding the employment, retention, training and career development of disabled employees.
Our online staff discussion forums for the exchange of ideas, information and support, include dedicated forums for Black and Minority Ethnic (BME), Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) and disabled employees.

Personal loans and mortgages with reduced interest rates.
Childcare voucher scheme - pay for childcare vouchers through the payroll, to save on tax and national insurance payments.
Staff discount schemes including major high-street retailers, tourist attractions, and sports and leisure facilities as well as reduced interest rate schemes for personal loans and mortgages.
Staff cafés at our main offices at County Hall in Lewes and St Mary's House in Eastbourne.
Charitable payroll giving - we operate a 'give as you earn' scheme where you can make tax-free donations through the payroll system.
Trade union membership - we have concluded agreements with nationally recognised trade unions and provide the facilities to help them represent their members on a corporate, departmental or individual basis.