Victim Support Scotland
GENERAL INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS
The following information is provided as a guide only for applicants on general terms and conditions of employment. This document does not form part of any future contract.
The starting salary is as stated in the advertisement. Salaries are paid by bank transfer on the 26th of the month. Salaries are reviewed annually in April.
There is a probationary period, usually of three months duration, during which the successful candidate undergoes an induction programme and receives training and support as necessary.
Victim Support Scotland seeks disclosure of criminal records from Disclosure Scotland for certain posts within the organisation at the point when an offer of employment is being made. The level of disclosure sought depends on the role and will be made clear in the Job Description and advertisement.
When an offer of employment is being made VSS will also request evidence that the potential new employee is legally able to work in the UK. We will request documentation as detailed by the Home Office in order to comply under sections 15-25 of the Immigration Asylum and Nationality Act 2006.
The full-time working week is thirty-five hours, Monday to Friday, exclusive of meal breaks. The hours for the current post will be as stated in the advert.
A degree of flexibility is required, particularly for community and court based posts, to allow for occasional evening and weekend meetings.
There is no paid overtime. However, authorised overtime can be taken as time off in lieu (TOIL) in accordance with VSS procedures for some posts. For senior posts, there is no TOIL, but an enhanced holiday entitlement.
Authorised travel and subsistence expenses are reimbursed at the rates VSS sets out from time to time and paid in arrears.
Staff working five days per week receive an annual holiday entitlement of twenty-five days per year plus fourteen designated public holidays and floating days. Staff working less than five days receive a pro rata equivalent dependent on days worked. The annual leave year operates from 1 April to 31 March. A new member of staff receives a portion of the annual leave entitlement in the first year depending on the start date. Certain senior posts qualify for 28 days leave (no TOIL).
VSS provides access to a Group Personal Pension plan in line with auto enrolment legislation. VSS makes a contribution of 5% of gross salary. Employees are required to make a contribution of 3% of gross salary, no later than 1 April 2019.
Employees are eligible to join Victim Support Scotland’s Group Life Assurance. This is a discretionary benefit and Victim Support Scotland reserves the right to amend or discontinue this scheme at any time
Staff who are absent from work through illness or injury are eligible for periods of full and half pay dependent on length of service.
The normal period of notice that an employee is required to give is four weeks. The notice given by VSS on termination of employment increases with length of service to a maximum of twelve weeks.
There is a 24 hour / 7 day Employee Assistance Programme providing a telephone helpline on stress, emotional, medical, legal, financial, tax, debt advice as well as face-to-face counselling sessions if required, for members of staff and their immediate families.