PAY AND PENSION
Your salary will be paid in monthly installments on the last working day of each month. Payment is made by direct credit to your bank or building society.
The current salary scale for the post on offer will be shown in the separate details enclosed with this booklet. Starting pay will be dependant on experience. Your rate of progress up the scale will depend on performance. Incremental reviews take place on an annual basis following an annual Staff Appraisal Report.
For new entrants, advances of salary can, if requested, be paid in the middle of the month during your first three months of employment.
All our permanent posts offer membership of the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (PCSPS). This is largely a non-contributory scheme (3.5% of salary), which includes ill-health benefits.
Wyndham House, the Agency's Docklands headquarters
ESTABLISHED CIVIL SERVANTS
If you are already an established Civil Servant you can obtain information from your Personnel Division about the special rules on starting salary which may apply. In brief, starting pay will be determined under the rules for starting pay on promotion if you are in a lower grade or under the rules for re-grading if you are in an equivalent or higher grade. Other rules will apply if you are serving on a casual basis or on a period appointment.
ANNUAL LEAVE
All new entrants commence employment with 26 days annual leave, rising to 30 days after ten years' service. In addition, all civil servants receive 10.5 days for Bank holidays and public and privilege leave taken at fixed times of the year.
OTHER LEAVE ENTITLEMENTS
- Maternity
Leave
If applicable, you will be entitled to paid maternity leave of 26 weeks on full pay and a period of special leave without pay for a further 26-week period. - Paternity
Leave
Paternity leave is granted at the time of the birth of your child and currently stands at 10 working days on full pay. - Special
Leave without pay
This is granted in certain circumstances in addition to holiday entitlements, to allow you time to deal with a personal or domestic problem, to attend a funeral or move house etc.
"Working out" at the Agency's gymnasium
HOURS
Staff based in central London are expected to work a five day week of 36 hours, excluding meal breaks. Staff based in other parts of the country work 37 hours per week, excluding meal breaks.
FLEXIBLE WORKING SCHEME
A flexible working scheme is available for many jobs in RA. Availability will depend on the needs of the office which must come first.
OTHER BENEFITS
- Agency Annual
Bonus
The Agency operates an Annual Performance Bonus Scheme, which is determined by the Agency's annual performance. - Gym Facilities
Gym facilities are available at Wyndham House for HQ staff. Staff can use these facilities for a nominal annual fee plus £2 per month insurance premium. Shower facilities are also available. - Staff Restaurant
Wyndham House has a part-subsidised staff restaurant, which offers a variety of menus at breakfast and lunch time, and a snack bar offering drinks and sandwiches. - Health Checks
Free biannual health checks are available to all staff in addition to the opportunity of joining the Civil Service Benevolent Fund, which provides private health care at a fraction of the usual cost. RA also has use of an independent Staff Counselling Service.
Teamwork extends beyond office hours - the sailing club is one of many activities available to Agency staff
LOANS AND ALLOWANCES
- Season Ticket
Loan
You may apply for an interest-free loan for the purchase of a public transport season ticket or to purchase a bicycle (once you have completed 2 months with RA). - Relocation
Assistance
In certain approved cases, you may be eligible for financial assistance towards expenses necessarily incurred in moving home to take up a post with RA. Such expenses include home removal, legal and estate agent fees, lodging allowance, Excess Fares Allowance etc.
TRAVEL
A number of the jobs in RA involve travelling around the UK and abroad. In a few posts you may need to work away from home for up to six months. Allowances are paid to meet your additional living costs.
NO-SMOKING POLICY
RA has a no-smoking policy, which applies to all of its places of work. We do, however, provide a smoking room in Wyndham House.