Employees benefits
Benefits of working at the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames Council
The London Borough of Richmond upon Thames (LBRuT) offers a wide variety of benefits to its employees and this section details what may be available to you once you commence employment at LBRuT.
Final salary pension
LBRuT provides employees with the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) membership. The LGPS provides you with a range of retirement benefits plus provision for your dependents if anything happens to you. Membership of the LGPS is automatic for new LBRuT employees but is not compulsory.
The LGPS provides a very good package of benefits which compares well with other pension options available. These include:
- Benefits calculated on final pay
- An annual pension and a tax free lump sum
- Index linked benefits against inflation at no extra cost
- Provision for retiring early because of ill health or redundancy
- Automatic cover for spouses and dependent children
- The provision to top up pension benefits for late entrants
Leave
Annual leave
| Grade | Up to 5 years services | Between 5-10 years service | Over 10 years service |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manual workers (From 01/04/2004) | 21 + 2 |
25 + 2 |
28 + 2 |
| Craft Grades | 21 + 2 |
26 + 2 |
26 + 2 |
| Scale 1 – Scale 4 | 21 + 2 |
25 + 2 |
28 + 2 |
| Scale 5 – Scale 6 | 22 + 2 |
25 + 2 |
28 + 2 |
| SO1 – PO3 | 24 + 2 |
25 + 2 |
28 + 2 |
| PO4 – PO9 / RMG 1,2 and 3 | 25 + 2 |
27 + 2 |
30 + 2 |
| Chief Officer and Related Posts including RSMG | 25 + 2 |
30 + 2 |
33 + 2 |
Maternity/Paternity/Adoption leave
Enhanced maternity leave, paternity, and adoption leave schemes are in operation and available to entitled LBRuT employees.
Work life balance
Flexible working
Flexible working arrangements are encouraged in cases where business needs will not be affected.
Childcare Vouchers Scheme
Save over £1,000 a year on your childcare costs with our current provider Imagine Co-operative Childcare.
Training and development opportunities
There is a wide range of training and development opportunities available within LBRuT and there are regular opportunities for employees to receive sponsorship from their department for approved qualifications relevant to their job role.
Travel
Cycle to Work Scheme
To promote the vision ‘for a safer, more accessible and less congested borough’ and to support healthier journeys to work and reduce environmental pollution, LBRuT has a Cycle to Work Scheme for employees in partnership with Cyclescheme Ltd. You make savings of up to 40% on the cost of the bike and safety equipment through saving on VAT, National Insurance and income tax.
Travel season ticket loan
An interest-free travel season ticket loan is available to employees of the LBRuT for the purchase of an annual season ticket for travel between home and work.
Housing and Finances
Key Worker Housing
Help with housing may be available for workers who provide key services for the people of Richmond upon Thames.
The three schemes available to key workers are:
- New Build Homebuy
- Intermediate Renting
- First Time Buyers Initiative
Employees Personal Loan (for PCs or Training)
LBRuT provides a Personal Loan for employees where the request incorporates a benefit to the Council and/or is work related, examples include tuition fees for personal further education or computer purchase for home working.
Financial Education Seminars
Seminars are arranged for employees providing them with access to help and advice with financial matters.
Family Information Service
The Family Information Service provides free information about a range of topics in relation to children.
Health and wellbeing
- Free Employee Counselling Service (Personal Support Line) with AXA ICAS
- Low cost health service with Benenden Healthcare Society
- Discounted health screening with Prevent PLC
- Free flu immunisation
- Discounted alternative therapies
- Employees Support Groups
Employees discounts at local businesses
Local businesses (restaurants and bars, hairdressers, leisure centres) around Richmond and Twickenham offer discounts on their services to all LBRuT employees where they can make savings of up to 30%.
Employees Social Club
The Employees Social Club is located next to Clarendon Hall and is open to all employees, contract employees and guests for hire by prior arrangement.
Work environment
Richmond Council is midway through an extensive refurbishment of its main offices, providing high spec air conditioned office space. There are excellent communication links to our main offices via Twickenham Rail Station and Buses. Twickenham and Richmond provide a wonderful location with access to the Thames, plenty of places to eat out and good local shopping.