Working for Freebridge Community Housing

Freebridge Community Housing employs approximately 190 people in a wide variety of jobs - from providing frontline services for residents to central services support which is essential for the running of any organisation.

The frontline staff are supported by specialist teams such as finance, ICT and facilities, human resources and business support.

Training and development

Freebridge Community Housing is committed to 'investors in people' and supports the training and development of all of its employees. Our staff review and development scheme aims to ensure continuous supportive management to enable all staff to deliver quality services for our customers.

Equality and diversity

Freebridge Community Housing is committed to equality of opportunity and encouraging diversity in employment and service provision. We will actively monitor our performance in these areas.

Pay

Salaries are paid four working days before the end of the month in accordance with FCH pays scales and job evaluation. A cost of living increase may be paid to all staff at the beginning of April each year.

Performance Related Pay

Freebridge Community Housing uses a graded salary scale, and currently gives employees the opportunity to earn an annual bonus through the appraisal system.

Hours of work

The full working week is 37 hours for all employees, although start and finish times may vary according to the position. The office is open to the public between 8.45 am and 5.15 pm Mondays to Thursdays; 8.45 am and 4.45 pm on Fridays. Part-time posts receive pay and benefits in direct proportion to the full-time equivalent.

Annual Leave

Annual leave entitlement is 25 days, increased by 1 week (5 days) after 5 years' continuous service. In addition there are 8 statutory holidays.

Pension Scheme

Staff can join the local Government pension scheme (on request) which is a contributory and final salary scheme. We are currently looking at an alternative stakeholder pension scheme to run alongside the LGPS scheme.

Emergency leave

Freebridge grants emergency leave to staff in times of family difficulty such as sudden illness. This may be paid or unpaid depending on the circumstances. We may also give compassionate leave.

Maternity, paternity, adoption and parental leave

Freebridge operates a range of family friendly policies, details of which are contained within the staff handbook and which will be discussed with individuals, depending on their own personal circumstances.

Staff relations

Freebridge recognises the unions, UNISON, GMB, UCATT and Amicus (section of UNITE) and staff may join any of these if they choose. Staff representatives meet with management regularly to discuss issues affecting all staff.

Personal protective clothing and risk assessment

An employee may be required to visit construction sites, properties where maintenance or refurbishment work is being carried out or perform activities where they could come to harm if not wearing suitable protective clothing. Freebridge will provide protective clothing to these employees as necessary.

Risk assessments are carried out on all areas of work and are reviewed regularly. New employees will be told about any risks associated with their job and any practices designed to reduce them as part of the induction process.

Business mileage

An essential user car allowance is paid to approved users. Staff who occasionally use their own car for Freebridge business are reimbursed for these miles. Staff are required to provide evidence of their vehicle registration document, current driving licence and appropriate insurance (business-use cover).

Mobile phones

Freebridge may provide a mobile phone where it is essential that the employee is contactable when working away from their office base. We also contract with an out of hours emergency telephone helpline provider to support any staff on-call as a personal safety measure.

Occupational health

Freebridge uses an occupational health doctor to advise us on any medical issues affecting staff employment (to ensure we do everything we can to make sure a person's health is not affecting or being affected by their job). We also provide free eye sight testing for VDU users and where appropriate reimburse glasses for VDU use. We also provide a 24-hour confidential employee assistance telephone helpline for all staff to access advice and guidance on medical, legal and other issues. This includes telephone counselling for a variety of personal issues. This service is free to staff and family living at the same address.