Summary of Main Terms and Conditions of Employment
Terms and conditions for GCS NHST employees are determined nationally unless otherwise
stated and are subject to change. The key terms are set out below:
Hours of Work:
The standard hours for all full-time NHS Staff are 37.5 per week (excluding
meal breaks).
Working arrangements:
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Salary:
GCS NHST operates a range of locally agreed working patterns. These may
be dependant on the nature of the post, the service being provided and by
agreement with the manager. If particular working arrangements are
requirement for a post this will be stated. Working arrangements can include:
Shift work
Part time hours
Term time only
Flexitime
Time off in lieu arrangements
GCS NHST also offers a range of locally agreed benefits and arrangements
to promote a balance between work and personal life, for example:
A number of money saving salary sacrifice schemes including childcare
vouchers, new cards, computers, bikes and mobile phones
An Occupational Health service
A free and confidential telephone counselling and advice service
Time off for medical and dental appointments
Secondment opportunities
Study leave arrangements
Comprehensive statutory and mandatory training with opportunities for
continuing professional development
Access to national and local discounts
An annual awards scheme to recognise outstanding contributions and
service
The salary range for each post is stated on the advertisement.
Staff appointed who are not currently working in the NHS will normally be
placed on the minimum point of the pay band. However, the appointing
officer may offer a higher point of the scale where the applicant has relevant
and quantifiable experience, knowledge and skills.
Pay rates are revised nationally on an annual basis for the 1st April each
year.
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Annual Leave:
Entitlement is 27 days per annum commencing 1 April each year increasing
to 33 days per annum for individuals who have already completed 10 years
employment with the NHS on their appointment to GCS NHST.
In addition – in a calendar year there are 8 bank holidays for full time
employees.
Annual leave and bank holidays are pro rata for part time staff and
calculated in hours.
Occupational Sick Pay:
Occupational Sick Pay is available, subject to correct notification of
absence, depending on service –
SERVICE
During first year of service
During second year of service
During third year of service
During fourth and fifth years
After 5 years service
Period of full pay
1 month
2 months
4 months
5 months
6 months
Period of half pay
2 months
2 months
4 months
5 months
6 months
Statutory Sick Pay:
Subject to satisfying the conditions for the scheme, SSP will be payable.
Relocation:
Subject to the current locally agreed scheme an eligible employee will
receive payment of up to a maximum of currently £8,000.
Travelling:
Business mileage reimbursed at 34 pence per mile for vehicles up to 1000
cc, and at 44 pence per mile for vehicles over 1000 cc.
Pension Arrangements:
Information on the NHS
www.nhsba.gov.uk/pensions
pension
scheme
can
be
found
on
What does the Scheme provide?
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A retirement pension based on 1/60th of your reckonable pay for each
year and proportionally for any part year of Scheme membership.
An option to take a lump sum that is normally tax-free up to a limit by
giving up some of your pension.
Life assurance of 2 years' reckonable pay while you are working.
If you die, pensions for your spouse or partner. Allowances are also
payable for dependent children.
Benefits if you have to leave work because of permanent ill health after 2
years membership.
Options to increase your benefits by paying additional contributions.
Pensions and allowances are guaranteed and fully index linked to
protect their value.
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From age 55 you can choose when to retire.
Pension benefits can be transferred into and out of the Scheme, but if you
change jobs in the NHS your membership will normally continue.
What does it cost?
Member contributions are tiered based on your full-time equivalent
pensionable pay including pensionable allowances and range from 5 to
8.5%. But the real cost is normally between 3.5 and 5% of net pay
because you get tax relief on your contributions; and you pay a lower rate
of National Insurance contributions because you are contracted out of the
State Second Pension Scheme (S2P).
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The benefits of the Scheme are valuable. Actuaries have assessed
them as being worth around 20% of overall pay.
Your employer pays the extra required to meet the total cost of the
benefits. You do not pay administrative costs.
Existing NHS employees who move within the NHS can retain their
existing NHS pension rights.
The NHS Terms and Conditions of Service Handbook can be viewed online at
http://www.nhsemployers.org/SiteCollectionDocuments/AfC_tc_of_service_handbook_fb.pdf
and
includes up to date information on national salary scales, on call payments and annual leave
entitlements.
For further information please contact the Recruitment Team on 0300 421 8170
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