Why work for Harlow Council?

Working for Harlow gives you the chance to make a practical and positive difference to the lives of people living and working here.

In return for your skills and commitment, we provide many benefits to help make a positive difference to your life too.

The benefits of working for us include:

Pay

We offer competitive salaries, in line with the National Joint Council for Local Government Services. As a Living Wage Employer, we offer at least the real living wage to all our employees.

Annual leave

You can get from 27 to 36 days leave, plus bank holidays, depending on your job, grade and the length of time you have worked with us. We also have a shut down period between Christmas and New Year.

Disability confident badgeDisability confident

We are a Disability Confident Employer, committed to inclusion and diversity in our workplace and will offer an interview to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for the job. We regularly support employees with access to work requirements.

Flexi time

One of the most popular benefits. Our full time working week is 37.5 hours and if the post is eligible for flexible working, you can work your 37.5 hours anytime between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday.

Hybrid and flexible working

We offer hybrid working to many of our staff where possible. Full-time staff will usually come into the workplace for a minimum of 2 of their working days per week (pro rata for part time staff).

We support flexible working to help balance work and personal life including job sharing, part-time working and home working. We support various work patterns including a 9 day fortnight.

We are members of the Essex Family-Friendly Employers Charter, which means we help parents and carers manage their work and caring commitments.

Pension scheme

Our employees are enrolled in the Local Government Pension Scheme, a contributory scheme with staff contributing a percentage of their annual salary.

Training and development

We provide a wide range of training and development opportunities for staff in all aspects of their work, ranging from in-house IT courses to professional qualifications. We also pay professional fees for approved professions.

Discount shopping services

We offer access to an employee benefits scheme with various discounts and cash back schemes at a range of national retailers as well as local businesses.

Cycle to work scheme

Allows you to spend up to £1000 on bikes and equipment, tax-free and spread the cost over monthly instalments.

Health and wellbeing

We have an Employee Assistance Programme which provides help and support to employees who may be going through a difficult time.

We have Workplace Champions, who work together to develop a programme of activities, exercise classes and events designed to promote health and wellbeing.

Volunteering

You are able to take half a working day off to volunteer in the community with a charity, voluntary or not-for-profit organisation based in Harlow, or one that serves the Harlow area.