Benefits of employment                                                                        Back to Job List

Ridgeway recognises the need to attract, develop and keep the best employees and be an employer of choice - it is one of Aster Group’s key strategies. This is reflected in the training, development, consultation and communication measures that are in place for all employees. All the companies in the Group have achieved the Investor in People standard. This accreditation is a measure of the importance afforded to our most valued asset, people.

Below is an outline of the benefits we offer at Ridgeway.

Hours of work

Basic full-time hours for our positions are either 8:30am to 5:00pm or 9:00am to 5:30pm, with a one hour break for lunch. You are required to work a total of 37 hours per week, and we leave 30 minutes early on Friday afternoons.

If you would like to work part-time hours, please attach a note to the application form detailing your preferred hours and days. This will then be discussed with you in more depth.

Most staff have the opportunity to work Flexible Working hours.

Salary

The salary for the position you are applying for is stated on the vacancy advert, and is dependant on your relevant skills and experience.Your salary will be paid into your bank account on the last working day of every month.

Holidays

Our annual leave year runs from January to December. The Annual leave we offer to employees is at least 23 days rising to 27 days after 5 years service, plus public holidays.

If you are working part-time hours you will receive a pro rata amount of 23 days, which will be calculated in hours.

Health

A satisfactory medical report is needed before a job offer can be confirmed. You will be asked to complete a medical questionnaire in the first instance.

A free 24-hour employee assistance programme is available to all employees.

Company sick pay is available to employees depending on their length of service. Entitlements starts at 2 weeks full pay (commencement of employment) and goes up to 3 months full pay followed by 3 months half pay (after 3 years service). Once your company sick pay entitlement runs out you will be paid any remaining SSP that is due, subject to meeting the criteria.

Pension

From the start of your employment you will be entitled to join the Social Housing Pension Scheme, which is administered by the Pensions Trust. This is a contributory final salary pension scheme, for which the Company will make a set contribution. You will also need to contribute 4.1%, 5.1% or 6.1% of your salary, dependent upon your age.

Vehicle

You will be reimbursed for any mileage you undertake on behalf of the Group, using your own vehicle, based on the Inland Revenue’s Authorised Mileage Rates. This will be a maximum of 40p per mile, depending on the number of business miles travelled within the tax year.

If the vacancy you are applying for attracts a 10% car allowance, this will be clearly stated in the vacancy advert. If you would like to take up this benefit, then any business mileage you undertake will be reimbursed at a rate of 11p per mile.

On-Site Gym

Our head office in Devizes has a Fitness Suite open from 8.00am to 8.00pm. Staff may use these facilities on payment of a £5.00 monthly subscription, following induction by a qualified instructor. Friends and family are also welcome to join, and will be charge a rate of £8.00 per month.

Period of Notice

During the probationary period notice is based on one month either side. Following confirmation of the appointment you would be required to give a minimum of either one or three month’s notice, dependant on your position.

Probationary Period

Confirmation of your appointment will be subject to satisfactory completion of a period of probationary service of six months.

Smoking Policy

Ridgeway and all Aster Group companies operate a no smoking policy in all their work locations and company vehicles.

Social and Other Activities

Aster Group, including Ridgeway staff, organises a range of social activities for those based in and around the head office in Devizes. These are sometimes used to raise funds for the Group’s nominated charity which is selected by the staff each year. Aster’s operating companies based in Andover and Shepton Mallet have their own staff groups and arrange their own activities.

Our social activities have included a number of formal balls, discos, summer barbecues, plant and cake sales and cricket and football matches. We have also supported the ‘Race for Life’ for many years and enter teams at several locations.