Work life balance

Kirklees council offers a number of provisions/flexible working practices to benefit their employees. Listed below are some of these

Holiday entitlement

Employees are entitled to a minimum of 20 or 23 days paid leave per year (according to the grade of the post) rising by five days after five years local government service plus 10½ days public holidays and two days discretionary holidays. This entitlement is offered on a pro-rata basis to part-time and job-share employees.

Flexible working scheme

The council has a generous flexible working hours scheme which enables employees to maintain a work life balance by working their contracted hours in a flexible way within the guidelines of the scheme. It also gives employees the ability to take extra paid time off in addition to their holiday entitlement.

Career break scheme

The council's career break scheme encourages employees who need to or want to take a break from work to take an unpaid break for a period of up to five years and return to the council workforce afterwards. This enables the council to retain skilled and experienced employees and to protect its investment in the development of the employee.

Other work life balance policies

• Job share
• Part-time hours
• Term time working or part year contracts
• Annualised and averaged hours
• Voluntary reduced work time
• Compressed working week
• Homeworking

Provision for pregnant employees

• Reasonable time off work with pay to receive ante-natal care

Help with childcare

• The council has places allocated at a nursery in Huddersfield for use by employees with childcare responsibilities
• This is a joint provision with Huddersfield Technical College
• Other registered childcare providers:
  There are other childcare options available including childminders, nurseries, out of school care, pre-school playgroups. For more information about childcare provision please contact The Children's Information Service who can provide FREE good quality, impartial information and guidance on childcare, early education and other children's services in Kirklees. For further information please call the Children's Information Service on 01484 223041 or email cis@kirklees.gov.uk.

Childcare vouchers

The council offers childcare vouchers to employees. This is a salary sacrifice scheme which means that the amount of childcare vouchers you elect to buy is deducted from gross salary. This means you pay less income tax and national insurance. Vouchers can be used in part payment for nurseries, childminders, after school clubs, and holiday play schemes as long as the care selected is registered. For further information please contact the Employment Agency on 01484 225087.

Special leave Of absence provision for employees

• Compassionate leave - up to six days paid leave
• Time off for dependants leave - up to three days unpaid leave
• Adoptive leave - the principal carer is entitled to:
  • up to 26 weeks' leave if they have less than six month's service.
  • up to 52 weeks' leave if they have over six month's service.
• Maternity leave- as adoptive leave
• Parental leave - up to 13 weeks unpaid leave for over 12 months service (4 weeks maximum in any 12 month period)
• Maternity support leave - 10 days paid maternity support leave (also known as Paternity leave).
• Religious and cultural leave
• Extended leave - employees with more than 12 months continuous service can request a period of unpaid extended leave of up to 52 weeks inclusive of any annual leave.
• Leave under the Domestic Violence Policy - paid leave to help support employees

Other provisions for leave

• Paid time off to attend interviews with other public sector employers
• Paid time off for election duties
• Paid time off for service with another public authorities
• Qualification examination awards leave
• Paid time off for blood donations
• Paid study leave for examinations
• Paid time off for trade union duties