Work/life balance

At GCHQ we recognise that there's life outside work and that a good balance between work and other commitments and interests makes for a more motivated and effective workforce.

We demonstrate our commitment by encouraging you to get a good balance through an evolving set of policies and guidance under the work/life balance umbrella.

Working patterns

Different working patterns

Through our range of flexible working options, so long as the requirements of the job are met, you can -

• Work reduced hours
• Work evenings in some areas
• Job-share
• Work annualised hours or school term hours

School holidays are Childsplay

School holidays can be stressful, especially if you need to find ways of looking after your children while at work. Our 'Childsplay' Holiday Playscheme provides good quality, safe, affordable childcare for children aged 4 -14 during the school holidays (excluding Public Holidays). The scheme is registered by Gloucestershire Social Services to provide daycare under the 1989 Children Act.

'Special leave'

Parental leave

GCHQ's parental leave options provide entitlements over and above statutory rights. Staff who have one year's service have a contractual right to 10 days paternity leave or 26 weeks' maternity leave on full pay. Women are also entitled to a further 26 weeks' unpaid maternity leave.

'Special' leave

We recognise that from time to time there are circumstances which require you to take additional time off work, such as domestic crisis, care of a sick relative, voluntary activities and so on. Managers have the discretion to give staff what we call 'special leave' which may be paid or unpaid, depending on individual circumstances.

Down time!

As well as an outstanding local environment, Cheltenham has a local branch of the Civil Service Sports Association nearby.

For a small subscription you can take part in a wide range of sporting and other social activities - and use the recently built clubhouse.

This has a sports bar with 3 skittle alleys, a comfortable lounge bar, a function room which will hold up to 120, a meeting room and a general room with its own kitchen. The clubhouse runs a wide variety of social activities for members and guests throughout the year - including dances, social functions, quiz nights and theme parties.

The surrounding grounds have 2 rugby pitches, 2 football pitches, a cricket square and outdoor nets, a hockey pitch, hard tennis courts and squash courts.

Sports groups include: Football, Rugby, Cricket, Hockey, Netball, Tennis, Rounders, Bowls, Darts, Squash, Table Tennis, Running, Golf, Angling, War Gaming, Archery, Skittles and Motoring.

Other thriving groups at GCHQ include: a Theatre Group, an Amateur Radio Club, Chess, Christian Fellowship and Bridge.

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