Why join Scottish Canals
Table of Contents
Why join Scottish Canals
Scottish Canals is responsible for maintaining Scotland’s 141-mile canal network, comprising the Caledonian, Crinan, Forth & Clyde, Union and Monkland Canals. We also act as navigation authority for the canals and four lochs in the Great Glen, which together form the Caledonian Canal. There are a total of 22 Sites of Special Scientific Interest on or within 500 metres of our canals, which are Scheduled Ancient Monuments.
Supporting the varied community who live, work and play on our canals means we need an incredibly varied workforce. Which is where you come in!
From engineers to environmental scientists, chefs to activities assistants, heritage managers to project managers, lawyers to accountants, hundreds of people work at Scottish Canals, all striving to make sure life is better by the water.
As well as being a vibrant, beautiful and interesting place to work, Scottish Canals offers a host of other employee benefits.
Working for Scottish Canals
Pension
Our pension provider is Scottish Widows. If eligible, most employees join the scheme at the base rate of 3%, with Scottish Canals paying 6%. You can increase your contributions as much you like, with Scottish Canals paying up to a maximum of 10%. To find out more about Scottish Widows, please visit: https://www.scottishwidows.co.uk/index.html
Death in Service
You’ll be covered for life assurance during your employment. The level of cover depends on what type of contract you have.
Leave
We offer a generous annual leave entitlement of 28 days, rising to 30 days after five years’ continuous service. On top of your standard annual leave entitlement, you also get nine public holidays each year. This is prorated for part time employees.
Looking for more time off? You can buy an extra working week of leave for 1.9% of your salary, split over six or 12 payments.
Retail and entertainment discounts
Take advantage of a wide range of retail and entertainment discounts available through our employee benefits hub, Hapi Benefits. There are over 200 retailers to choose from, including ASDA, Boots, Burger King, Cineworld, Curry’s, Easy Jet, Harvey Nichols, John Lewis, Primark and many more.
Sickness allowance
Where you meet the qualifying conditions, your entitlement to sickness allowance increases with your length of continuous service.
| Service at start of absence | Full pay | Half pay |
| Less than 6 months | 2 weeks | 2 weeks |
| More than 6 months but less than 1 year | 6 weeks | 6 weeks |
| Not less than 1 year but less than 2 years | 16 weeks | 16 weeks |
| Not less than 2 years but less than 3 years | 18 weeks | 18 weeks |
| Not less than 3 years but less than 4 years | 20 weeks | 20 weeks |
| Not less than 4 years but less than 5 years | 23 weeks | 23 weeks |
| 5 years or more | 26 weeks | 26 weeks |
Employee assistance programme
Access confidential telephone counselling and legal information 24 hours a day, 365 days a year as part of our employee assistance programme.
Health
Make the most of a suite of health benefits, including health club discounts, glasses allowance and Cycle to Work.
Staff discount
Enjoy staff discounts on food, drinks and stays at our locations, including the Caledonian Canal Centre and Falkirk Wheel.
Cycle and Techscheme
Spread the cost. Spend up to £2,000 on cycling and tech equipment and spread the payments over up to 18 months via salary sacrifice with our Cycle and Techscheme.
Flexibility
Struggling with your work life balance? We want to help. With our Flexitime Policy, you have an input into when you work. This isn’t currently open to those working a rota/shift system.
Training and career coaching
Our Open Access to Learning training scheme offers a way to improve your skills, knowledge and competencies in your own time. As well as helping with your current role, this could make you eligible for other jobs with us. The scheme is open to anyone with 12 months’ continuous employment with Scottish Canals.