Working for the Agency
Saturday 4 November 2006
As an employer, we are committed to equal opportunities, and make sure everyone who works for us is treated fairly and with respect.
We aim to ensure that no employee or applicant will be discriminated against either directly or indirectly on such grounds as race, gender, marital status, nationality, ethnicity, colour, religious or political beliefs, disability, age, sexual orientation, responsibility for dependants, working pattern or position in the organisation. We believe that diversity should underpin everything we do as an organisation, and are keen for our workforce to reflect the wide range of communities we serve. We also operate a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for appointment.
Our headquarters is at Aviation House in Holborn, London, although there are offices for FSA Scotland, FSA Northern Ireland and FSA Wales, in Aberdeen, Belfast and Cardiff, respectively.
Working hours
Normal working hours for our London office is 41 hours per week, including daily meal breaks of one hour. Outside of London, working hours is 42 hours.
The Agency operates flexible working hours, which allows employees to adjust their working day to suit individual needs. We also accommodate staff who wish to work part-time or job share, subject to business needs. Other flexible working arrangements can be considered.
Probation
All staff joining the Food Standards Agency is required to serve a probation period of eight months, unless they join from another Government Department.
Annual Leave
Annual leave allowance is 30 days, plus 10½ days public and privilege holidays.
Pension
The Civil Service offers the choice of an attractive occupational pension or stakeholder pension, giving flexibility and choice. Details of the pensions available can be found on the website www.civilservice-pensions.gov.uk.
Normal retirement age in the Food Standards Agency is 65.
Nationality
Normally to be eligible for employment, you will need to be either a UK national, or a national of another European Economic Area (EEA) Member State, or a Commonwealth citizen with the right to live and work in the UK. In addition, if you have dual nationality you will be eligible as long as one of the nationalities meets these requirements. Certain non-EEA family members may also be eligible for employment. If you are unsure of your eligibility, please enclose a short letter with your application setting out your current nationality status.
Conflicting interests
All staff working for the FSA are required to apply for approval before becoming associated with any kind of private business interest related to the food industry. If you are associated with any private business of this nature, you are requested to notify your interest in it, and how much time you expect to devote to it. The FSA may then consider whether there would be any conflict with official duties if you are offered and accept the appointment.
This applies to purely financial interests as well as interest where you are involved in managing the business. You should tell us if you have an indirect association of this kind, for example through a partner or family member with whom you are in close contact.
Learning and development
We are an Investor in People organisation and as part of our team you can look forward to quality training and development opportunities. We believe in helping all our people to make the most of their talents and realise their full potential - that's why we provide everyone with the opportunity to develop further, offering formal development opportunities in addition to on-the-job training. There will be the opportunity to undertake development to meet the needs of the job and for some personal development.
Additional benefits
We run a voucher scheme to provide financial assistance to staff who have childcare responsibilities. Additionally we have a subsidised corporate gym scheme with a couple of organisations who have facilities close to our locations. These schemes are open to all Agency employees, irrespective of their circumstances.
All our staff are also eligible to join HASSRA, our recreational association, and the Civil Service Sports Council. Both these organisations offer a range of sporting, social and recreational events, and membership also attracts discounts on a range of goods and services. Permanent staff with a minimum of two months service are eligible to apply for an advance of salary to purchase a season ticket for travel to and from work.
Smoking policy
The Agency operates a no smoking policy.
