Employee benefits

On joining SFC you will have an annual leave allowance of 26.5 days (pro rata), rising to 30 days (pro rata) after 4 years’ continuous service.

You will also benefit from:

• 11.5 days (pro rata) public and privilege holidays.
• New and Expectant Parents and Parental Leave, including up to 10 KIT days.
• Special leave (paid and unpaid) to help with unexpected events such as caring responsibilities and at times of close bereavement.
• Up to three days a year for volunteering activities.

Flexible Working

We recognise the value of giving our people the flexibility to create a great balance between life and work.

Most of our roles work on flexitime. Within limits, this allows you to flex your working hours each day to help you balance your personal commitments with the needs of your team and your role.

We are happy to consider requests for flexible working to help you achieve the balance that is right for you. This might mean, for example, compressed hours, job-sharing or working part-time.

We have recently adopted a hybrid working approach which aims to give you the flexibility to work at home when it makes sense to do so while also maximising the benefits that come from interacting with colleagues in person on a semi-regular basis. Of course, you are most welcome to work from the office more regularly if that suits you better: we have plenty of attractive working spaces in our recently refurbished office.

Pension

When you join SFC you will be eligible to join the Civil Service Pension Scheme. This provides you with financial security and options when you retire, as well as benefits for your family and loved ones. Some of the benefits of a Civil Service pension include:

• Member contribution rates among the lowest in the public sector.
• Tax relief on your contributions.
• Generous employer contributions.
• A secure, inflation-proof pension for life, with no investment uncertainty.
• The option of tax-free lump sum on retirement.
• Potential access to ill health and injury benefits if you become too ill to work.
• Life assurance cover (in the form of a lump sum payment to nominees).
• Benefits for loved ones and dependants.
• Options to increase your pension.
• Keeping all your pensions in one place by transferring in a pension you have built up elsewhere.
• Support from our trusted charity partners.

You can hear more about the benefits of a Civil Service Pension here.

Annual Pay Review 

We currently operate an annual pay review process. Pay reviews are set and approved within the framework of the Scottish Government’s Public Sector Pay Policy and are negotiated with our recognised trade union, Unite.   

Sick Pay and Sick Leave

SFC has a generous occupational sick pay scheme. This offers security for up to 6 months at full pay in any rolling 12 month period (less any Statutory Sick Pay) and for a further six months at half pay (plus any Statutory Sick Pay where it is due). This is subject to a maximum of 12 months’ sick pay in a rolling 4 year period.

Health and Wellbeing

Health and wellbeing is important to us.

In addition to the benefits outlined elsewhere on this page we offer free access to confidential advice and support through our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, free winter flu vaccination, and occupational health support where needed.

We also take pride in offering an accessible workplace and will arrange Access to Work assessments where there is a need to consider reasonable adjustments. 

Professional Development

We are proud to have a skilled and highly qualified workforce. We aim to support all our people to invest in their ongoing professional development, both through continuous development in the role and through structured learning and qualifications pathways where relevant and appropriate.

We recognise the value of a professional body membership. Where the membership is a requirement for the role, we will pay the fee for one relevant annual professional membership.

We also like to support our people to develop skills and interests outside of work, which is why we also offer a contribution to formal and informal learning through our Lifelong Learning fund.

Travel

We are a Cycle Friendly Employer. We offer a Cycle to Work salary sacrifice scheme to allow you to save on the cost of a cycle and cycle equipment for travel to work as a tax-free benefit, up to the value of £1000 (including VAT). When you arrive at the office you will have access to secure cycle storage, shower facilities, a clothes drying area and personal lockers. 

For those who travel to the office regularly we offer an interest-free loan for bus or rail season tickets for travel to and from work. This is paid back monthly from your salary over the life of the season ticket.

While we encourage sustainable modes of travel where possible, we know that there are times when it makes all the difference to be able to take the car. We have office car parking available to our employees on a first-come basis.