| Please note: this summary is for your general guidance and will not form part of any contract of employment. If you are appointed we will provide you with full written details.
Salary
Most jobs at Together have a salary scale with incremental points. Staff move up the range by an incremental point each year until they reach the maximum in that range. A few don't have salary ranges and are paid an individual salary based on comparison with similar roles elsewhere. Positions in London receive additional allowances. Salaries are paid on the last working day of the month.
|Top| Together pension scheme
Together operates a final-salary staff pension scheme for full-time and part-time employees between the ages of 18 and 60. Currently the contribution rate for employees is 4 per cent of their annual salary, with Together contributing 8 per cent.
We also offer a stakeholder pension if you do not wish to join the occupational scheme. It is available to you once you have worked for more than three months; the minimum contribution is £20 per month. You can change the level of your contribution every six months.
|Top| NVQ payment
In addition to your salary you may be eligible for an NVQ payment of £500 per annum (pro rata for part-time staff) if you have an appropriate NVQ Level 3 or 4. Please contact the named Together contact for the job that you wish to apply for to obtain details.
|Top| Hours of work
Full-time staff delivering services to clients work a standard 37½ hours a week, excluding breaks for lunch. If a position requires you to work more than the standard hours, this will be stated in the person specification, advert and contract for the job. You should note that most Together jobs call for flexibility. Time off in lieu may be given for work outside the standard hours.
|Top| Annual leave
Annual leave on joining is 25 days pro rata for that holiday year. For every full holiday year you work, you will be entitled to an extra day's annual leave per year, up to a maximum of 30 days. Please note: Our holiday year runs from 1 April to 31 March.
|Top| Public holidays
There are eight statutory bank holidays per year: Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Spring bank holiday, late May (Whitsun) and August bank holidays. These are granted in addition to your annual leave entitlement. Part-timers receive bank holidays pro-rata.
|Top| Personal development
We are committed to developing our staff. Project-based staff receive at least eight days' training in their first six months. We are approved by City and Guilds as an NVQ assessment centre and are able to offer staff the opportunity to work towards Promoting Independence at Levels 3 and 4 in the Care and Registered Managers Award, and the Assessor and Internal Verifier awards.
We will pay for staff training, assessment, internal verification and certificates upon successful completion. All we ask is that candidates make a small contribution towards NVQ registration fees. Annual appraisals also identify training needs. More details are in our Understanding Together leaflet (260KB).
|Top| Special Awards
We run a Special Awards scheme twice a year with awards totalling £500 available. Employees can be nominated by their colleagues for an award where they have produced outstanding work above and beyond their normal duties.
|Top| RAC membership
Together has negotiated with the RAC a discounted membership rate for staff. For further details please contact the Human Resources team once you are in your post.
|Top| Season ticket loan
You are eligible to apply for an interest-free loan to purchase an annual season ticket for use travelling to and from work. Further details can be found in our Human Resources Manual at every work site.
|Top| Maternity, paternity, adoption and parental leave
All pregnant members of staff are entitled to 26 weeks' ordinary maternity leave. Together offers an enhancement of an additional four weeks' leave on half basic pay, after the statutory leave expires. Those employees with 26 weeks' continuous service by the beginning of the 15th week before the expected week of confinement are entitled to additional maternity leave of up to 26 weeks in total. Details of eligibility for and rates of maternity pay are available on request.
Male staff with at least 26 weeks of service who have a partner who is pregnant are entitled to two weeks' paid paternity leave. Details of eligibility and rates of paternity pay are available on request.
Staff intending to adopt who have at least 26 weeks of service ending with the week in which they are notified of having been matched with a child are entitled to 26 weeks' ordinary adoption leave followed immediately by 26 weeks' additional adoption leave. Details of eligibility and rates of adoption pay are available on request.
In addition, all members of staff who are parents are entitled to up to 13 weeks' unpaid parental leave during the first five years of a child’s life.
|Top| Hospital Saturday Fund (HSF)
You will be eligible to join the HSF, which provides low-cost healthcare insurance and a telephone helpline, for as little as £1 a week. Full details will be supplied if you are successful in getting a job with Together.
|Top| Empathy
Together has an employee assistance programme called Empathy. This is a confidential telephone helpline that you can ring at any time to seek help or advice. New starters will be sent full details.
|Top| Staff consultation and union membership
Together is working in partnership with UNISON to develop a recognition agreement. Information about joining UNISON will be sent to you if you are successful with your application.
Staff are also consulted and involved through our staff consultative committee. You can also use this route to raise any issues with management.
|Top| Sick pay
There is a generous sickness benefit scheme, which you are entitled to as soon as you start work with us. We also have access to Occupational Health who provide expert medical opinions.
|Top| Job sharing and flexible working
Job sharing and flexible working will be considered where possible.
|Top| Equal opportunities
Together has an equal opportunities policy covering both employment and service provision. The aim is to have a workforce that reflects the communities we serve. A copy of our full equal opportunities policy is available on request.
We also have a grievance and harassment policy. This can be used by anyone who wishes to raise any concerns they may have about co-workers, work, the organisation or other matters relating to their employment.
|Top| Our policy on smoking
Together operates a no-smoking policy; smoking is not permitted in the workplace unless designated.
|Top| Any questions
If you would like clarification on any of these points, please contact the named Together contact for any job that you wish to apply for. Or contact our human resources team in Together's national office. | 
