Offers and benefits

Last updated 16 March 2023

We aim to make your employment with us as fulfilling as possible and we offer a range of employee benefits and discounts to support this.

Benefits of working at Stockport Council

• A generous annual leave allowance, up to 30 days annual leave dependent on grade and length of service, plus bank holidays with the option to purchase additional annual leave
• Work and personal life balance. Many jobs include part time working, flexi-time and homeworking
• Employee engagement networks to support colleagues and create opportunities to feed into both workforce and borough strategies
• Support for volunteering by allowing up to 4 hours per month (pro rata) to carry out any duties associated with this
• A suite of learning and development opportunities, from important data protection training to all level apprenticeships

Employee discounts

A huge range of discounts via an easy to use portal. These include:

• gym memberships
• cafes, restaurants and retail shops nationally
• events, days out and cinema tickets
• travel discounts
• cycle to work scheme
• car lease scheme
• home and electronics scheme
• personal, emotional and financial wellbeing tools

Wellbeing

Stockport Council offers a wide range of support for its employee’s wellbeing. This includes access to an employee support hotline, available 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. They can provide quick access to support for mental and physical health, as well as advice on a range of topics such as financial wellbeing and tools to support you and your family.

We also offer all colleagues access to an internal pool of coaches, who can help you to focus on how you can improve your performance and development at work. They also offer fast-tracked access to counselling when colleagues need it.

Leading our wellbeing activity is a team of Wellbeing Champions, over 50 colleagues from across the organisation who are passionate about supporting their colleague’s wellbeing. Our Wellbeing Champions help us to shape the support we offer to all of our colleagues.

Employee networks and support groups

As part of our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, Stockport Council has a range of staff networks to represent our diverse workforce. These networks allow for staff members to support each other, collaborate, and act as change agents within our workforce.

• Palettes of Colour, a group representing Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic colleagues. The group share experiences and promote their interests in the workplace, so that everyone can work in an environment of non-discrimination and empowerment
• LGBTQ+ Network, for staff who identify as LGBTQ+ and their allies to connect with each other informally, network and collaborate. The aim of this group is to create an environment of respect and inclusion across the council, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity
• Staff Dis-Ability Network, for council employees living with a range of long-term health conditions and disabilities. The group can discuss their experiences, and promote a culture of equity and inclusion where everyone’s needs are met
• The Carer's Network, an informal supportive space to meet with other council employees who have caring responsibilities. The group can share stories and collaborate on solutions to make the council a carer-friendly place to work
• Menopause Support Group, for staff experiencing menopause to meet and support each other
• Neurodivergent Support Group, a safe space for neurodivergent staff to meet, connect and promote understanding of neurodivergence

Training and Development

Stockport Council offers a wide range of training and development opportunities for its workforce.

These include:

• Annual Performance Development Plans for every employee
• the ability to undertake coaching sessions with a qualified coach, to help you focus on your performance and development at work
• a wide range of online training courses
• free classroom and webinar training
• the ability to gain job-relevant qualifications whilst working, from GCSE to Master’s level equivalent, fully funded through the Apprenticeship Levy

As an employer we are keen that people who join the council are able to have a long career with us. We encourage training and professional development, and try to offer progression opportunities within our teams.

Pensions

We're part of the ‘Local Government Pension Scheme’ (LGPS). This is a national pension scheme for Local Government Employees. The LGPS is administered locally by the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF).

Each month you pay a contribution based on your salary into the scheme and at retirement, will receive a guaranteed pension income for the rest of your life.

Benefits of joining the local Government Pension Scheme are:

• lump sum life cover from the day you join
• guaranteed income when retired
• your employer contributes too
• tax relief on your contributions
• flexibility to change how much you pay in
• option to exchange your pension for tax free cash upon retirement
• pension for eligible family members when you die
• access to your own pension account online

Visit the GMPF website to find out more.