References, Medical and Other Clearances

All offers of employment are subject to receipt of references satisfactory to our organisation, medical clearance and evidence that you are eligible to work in the UK, in accordance with the provisions of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1996. Medical clearance is by way of a questionnaire which is assessed by our medical adviser. In the event that medical clearance is not given, the offer may be withdrawn.

The offer is also subject to approval if you are related to an existing employee or Board Member or if you have been previously employed by the Group. Please see the last page of the application form for other declarations. In the event that an interest gives rise to an unacceptable level of conflict, the offer may be withdrawn. You will be asked to complete a Declaration of Interest form upon your appointment.

The Group will normally take up references on all new employees prior to their commencement in post and, again, if these are not satisfactory to our organisation, the offer may be withdrawn.

Qualifications

We will require evidence of those qualifications you detail on your application form which are stated as a requirement for the post. If you are unable to provide certificates or other satisfactory evidence, the offer may be withdrawn.

Hours of Work

Full-time Employees: All employees work a 35 hour week. Totally flexible working arrangements are in operation for all staff (with the exception of DLO Operatives) within the following hours:

Monday 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
Tuesday 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
Wednesday 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
Thursday 8:00 am to 7:00 pm
Friday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm

DLO Operatives have core hours based on:

Monday 8:00 am to 3.30 pm
Tuesday 8:00 am to 3.30 pm
Wednesday 8:00 am to 3.30 pm
Thursday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Friday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm

Part-time Employees: For those employees working less than a 35 hour week, terms and conditions of employment apply on a pro rata basis.

Opening Hours to the Public

These are the hours during which each section is expected to provide a service to the public.

Monday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Tuesday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm
Wednesday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm
Thursday 8:30 am to 7:00 pm
Friday 8:30 am to 3:00 pm

Leave Entitlements

Annual Leave: The Association's leave year is from 1st April to 31st March. Employees will receive annual leave entitlement as detailed below:

• Directors: 32
• Senior Managers: 27 (increasing by one day after each year of service to 32 after five years)
• All other staff: 25 (increasing by one day after each year of service to 30 after five years)

New Employees: During their first year of employment, staff will be entitled to annual leave to the 31st March in proportion to the number of months' completed service to the 31st March.

During that period employees will only be allowed to take such holiday as has accrued at the start of any holiday period taken except by special arrangement. If there is any outstanding holiday entitlement at 31st March, 35 hours (pro-rata for part-time) can be carried forward into the following year.

Public, Statutory and Concessionary Days: All employees will be entitled to the following leave:-

• Easter: 2
• May day: 1
• Spring: 1
• August: 1
• Christmas and New Year: 3 (plus 3 concessionary)

Pensions

The Group is contracted into The Pensions Trust Social Housing Pension Scheme, which is a “final salary” scheme.

The Pensions Trust(external link)

Training

The Group has made training and development for all staff one of its priorities and makes appropriate budgetary provision each year. In 2006 South Staffordshire Housing Association achieved Investor in People status again as re-recognition of this commitment.

Central Borders Housing Group supports the training and development of its staff in the following ways.

Annual Training Programme

Corporate training needs are identified for all employees, in particular, induction courses, I.T. training, customer focussed training and Health and Safety.

Relevant Professional Qualifications

Where relevant, the Association supports individuals in the attainment of professional qualifications and will fund the qualification and offer time off for study and exam leave.

Other Training

Internal ‘on the job' training, one-to-one training and attendance at external training courses will be planned with staff members at their annual appraisal as part of their career development within the Association by their manager.

Induction Programme

On an employee's first day an initial induction is carried out by the Human Resources team. A second induction is carried out by the employee's manager when going to his/her workplace. All new employees take part in a full Induction Programme which is relevant to their position.

NVQs

The Group is able to offer (in-house) the following NVQ qualifications and awards at various levels

• Administration
• Management
• Health and Safety
• Training and Development
• Customer Services.

Name Badges and Identity Cards

All employees are required to wear a name badge, and for those required to go out on site an identity card will be provided which includes a photograph of the employee.

Staff Appraisal

All employees will be appraised at least annually.

Smoking Policy

The Group operates a “no-smoking” policy in all its premises.