What you can expect from us

We believe it is our responsibility as an employer to build on and develop the skills and abilities of our highly capable staff.

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Common Purpose is a developing organisation, operating within a complex and changing environment. We learn from our experiences, and finding solutions to all the challenges we face is the responsibility of each one of us. In everything we do, both inside and outside the organisation, we strive to apply the beliefs, aims and ethos of the Common Purpose Charter.

Diversity

We celebrate diversity and are committed to inclusivity. We recognise the value, role and contribution of each individual, respect difference and see a diverse staff group as a strength. We are committed to maximising potential and actively promote equality of opportunity.

Leadership

We respond decisively to conditions and circumstances, building and developing effective teams and communication systems. People are clear about the decision-making process and their own role within that. By devolving decision-making to the lowest appropriate level, we encourage everyone to take a lead.

Independence

We guard our independence fiercely, ensuring our actions do not compromise our policy of non-alignment, even if this means missing opportunities or taking longer to achieve the objective. We do not however provide a platform for those who seek anti-democratic or violent solutions, or those who incite intolerance or hatred.

Context

We do not operate in isolation and give people a thorough understanding of the context in which they work. Programme staff strive to grasp how their towns and cities work, as well as the sectors operating within them. Individuals are clear about the vision of Common Purpose and their role within it and know how they can contribute to the whole. People are kept informed about what is going on in the organisation.

Professionalism

In all aspects of management and delivery, we aspire to the highest levels of skill and professionalism, both with our staff and with our customers. We pay great attention to detail, at the risk of appearing finicky, and always acknowledge requests for help or information, even if we cannot comply immediately. People show loyalty and respect for their colleagues. Issues are raised promptly and discussed at an appropriate time in a constructive and professional manner.  People are ready to apologise where appropriate, and also to thank colleagues when appropriate.

Creativity

We encourage everyone to be creative and innovative, striving for continual development and resisting complacency. We would prefer people to risk making mistakes, rather than remain safely within their comfort zone.

Even before our staff join Common Purpose, our dedicated Learning and Development team work with line-managers to put together a bespoke induction plan to ensure new staff have all the support and guidance they need to perform their role to the best of their ability.

Training needs are identified for each member of staff through monthly meetings with their line-manager and annual appraisals. Our staff at Common Purpose have different skills and career ambitions, which is why Common Purpose offers a wide range of in-house training and external development opportunities.

This training and development continues throughout their time working for us and staff are encouraged to take a lead in their own training and development.  Common Purpose is always looking for innovative ways to help its staff learn and develop and suggestions from employees on how to do this are encouraged.

Examples of the types of staff development:

  • Course Co-ordinators have the opportunity to take part in our 12 month Accelerator personal and professional development programme, shortlisted in the finals for The Training Journal 2008 "Best non-profit initiative".
  • Our dedicated curriculum development team deliver regular training to keep our programme staff up to date on current learning and development thinking.
  • Training is also delivered in short training modules that are run within a department at monthly team meetings, as well as at organisation-wide events. Through a variety of ways staff can direct themselves such as videos, e-learning tools and a staff development blog is available for staff to share their learning and best practice.
  • External courses may be offered in line with an individual's personal development plan.
  • On top of all of the above, every year we have 6 'set aside days' which all staff keep clear for personal and professional development and organisation wide activities.

Leave

  • Annual Leave - Staff receive 25 days annual leave per annum (pro-rata) plus bank holidays. In addition to this, Common Purpose closes between Christmas and New Year and staff and these days are additional to their annual leave entitlement.
    • Leave entitlement increases by 5 extra days after the completion of 4 years service.
    • This year staff have also been given 2 rest days in addition to their annual leave entitlement.
  • Sabbaticals - Employees with 4 years service or more may take a 4-week sabbatical, which will be paid if the time-off is used for personal development that directly benefits Common Purpose.
  • Citizenship Activities - An employee who has been confirmed in post can take up to one day off for public duties and citizenship activities every 3 months.

Life Assurance

A permanent employee is entitled to a death in service benefit of twice the annual salary of the employee.

Child care Vouchers

If you use a registered childcare provider, you can buy childcare vouchers to help you pay for your childcare, and the money is deducted from your salary, without paying tax or national insurance on this amount.

Flexible Working

In line with our flexible working policy, all permanent staff have the right to request flexible working, of which there are a number of different arrangements available through mutual consent.

Reward & Recognition

Through our "Notice and Nominate" campaign, our talented individuals and teams who have gone the extra mile are awarded, through nominations from their colleagues.

Car Allowance

We recognise that for some of our Course Directors and Regional Directors a car is a necessary tool of their job and in those cases, they will be provided with an essential car user's allowance in addition to their salary, payable monthly as part of their salary.