Employee benefits and rewards

Flexible working practices

We are committed to supporting our staff to balance their work and home life. We offer a range of flexible working arrangements

This includes:

• Working from home
• Compressed working hours 
• Nine day fortnight
• Part-time working
• Staggered hours
• Job share

Homeworking

We promote flexible working for all staff and adopt an approach to an employee working partly or fully from home where this can be accommodated. 

We do not have any expectation for staff to work from an NHF office for all of their contractual hours unless there is a specific job role requirement or to meet the needs of the business.

Family friendly policies and procedures

The NHF is a family friendly organisation and our policies and procedures are designed to reflect this. Staff benefit from a range of flexible practices and our pay during maternity, paternity, adoption, and shared parental leave are all enhanced.  

Flexi-time and TOIL (time off in lieu)

Flexitime is a scheme that allows staff to start and finish work at different times. Where hours worked are in excess of contractual hours, time off work can be taken in TOIL for the additional hours worked.

Training and development

We offer a range of development opportunities to ensure that our staff have the skills and knowledge their need to deliver their full potential. 

Our training offer includes:

• Leadership and development programmes
• Equality, diversity and inclusion 
• People management 
• Technical training
• Finance 
• A range of soft skills development

We also give staff the opportunity to be mentored by housing sector professionals.

Annual leave and special leave

We aim to ensure that a good work-life balance is achieved by offering 27 days annual leave in addition to the statutory bank holiday days. This is pro-rata if you work part-time. Staff also receive three additional days of annual leave when our offices are closed for Christmas.

In addition to annual leave, we offer special leave to enable employees to deal with life. Special leave covers compassionate, pregnancy loss, treatment (for example fertility treatment) and emergency leave.

Employee Assistance Programme

We offer a dedicated and professional Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), with a 24-hour, 7 days a week and 365 days a year confidential helpline staffed by experienced advisers and counsellors.

The services offered by the EAP include counselling, practical legal and medical information, bereavement support and CBT. NHF staff also have access to a comprehensive health and wellbeing app with a range of features to improve your health and wellbeing.

Pension scheme

All staff are auto-enrolled into a defined contribution pension with the Social Housing Pension Scheme (SHPS). The minimum employee contribution rate is currently 3%.

The NHF’s contribution rate is 2% higher than employees, up to a maximum contribution of 8%. Employees can opt out of the pension scheme after enrolment.

Emergency loan

Staff can apply for an emergency loan for unexpected expenses. This is an interest free loan of £100 - £1,500 to be repaid over a period of one to 12 months.

Employee Benefits

Our employee awards scheme takes place each year in December giving us the opportunity to pay recognition to our staff at the NHF.

The award categories include: 

• Members at the heart
• One team
• Inspiring others
• Championing equality, diversity and inclusion
• Hit the ground running
• Unsung hero
• Embracing change

Real living wage employer

We are proud to be a living wage employer which means we commit to paying our employees no less than the National and Real Living Wage. This is an annually reviewed rate of pay (set by the government) in excess of the National Minimum Wage.

Occupational sick pay

All staff are eligible for occupational sick pay, which is pro-rated if you work part time.

Private medical insurance

All staff have the opportunity to join our private medical insurance scheme which covers health assessments as well as discounted gym membership with a focus on your body. 

Employees are also able to access fast-track appointments and speak to a specialist or GP 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Life insurance cover

Membership of the Social Housing Pension Scheme (SHPS) offered by the NHF comes with life insurance.

The cover provided by the policy is three times your annual salary. 

Mental health first aiders (MHFA)

We have a number of staff who are trained mental health first aiders (MHFA) and provide additional support for colleagues to discuss their mental health or wellbeing.

Staff groups

The equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) staff group is available for all staff to join and the primary focus is on raising awareness and promoting EDI across the organisation.

The Great Workplace Group (GWG) is made up of representatives from each of the directorates at the NHF. They meet on a regular basis to discuss initiatives aimed at making the NHF an even better place to work and an employer of choice.

Cycle to work scheme

We offer a cycle-to-work scheme to support staff with travel costs and  maintain a healthy lifestyle. This is a salary sacrifice scheme that covers the cost of the bike and accessories including equipment.

Season ticket loan

To help make the cost of travel more affordable we offer all our staff an interest-free loan to purchase a season ticket. This can be repaid over 10, 11 or 12 months.

Eye care

All staff are entitled to claim up to £30 for an eye test each year. If the prescription changes staff can also claim up to £60 towards the cost of lenses, frames or contact lenses.

Gym membership

Our staff can receive a 50% reduction on PureGym membership fees through our private medical insurance (PMI) provider. This discount is also available to staff who don't have PMI.

Retail discounts

We help our staff save money on the high street and online by providing access to a range of shopping discounts and vouchers as well as some discounted insurance products.

Volunteering (up to 5 days paid)

We actively encourage staff to volunteer for charities and not-for-profit organisations. Staff who take up this opportunity will be paid their usual salary for up to five volunteer days each year.

Flu vouchers

Flu vouchers are made available for staff each year.