Work life balance
Whilst we value our employees and what they do for us, we also appreciate they have a life outside Mouchel. That’s why we’re keen that everyone works within a balance that’s right for them, making time for enjoying their family, friends and outside interests.
Interested? Take a look at our case study below, or search our jobs and see if we have one you’d like to apply for - or set up a job alert which will keep you posted about the latest opportunities.
Work-life balance in practice - Steve Newman, Fire Fighter
For the past 10 years Steve Newman, Environment Team Leader in Mouchel's Brighton office has served the community where he lives as a Retained Fire Fighter for East Sussex Fire and Rescue.
As part of the Retained system Steve receives the same training, qualifications and equipment as his full time colleagues, the only difference is that rather than be based at a fire station day and night, Retained fire fighters are issued with an ‘alerter’ or pager and are called out when required.
Each fire-fighter guarantees to give a certain number of hours of fire cover – for Steve that’s 80 hours each week. This means that when he is on call at night and at weekends Steve has to be able to reach the fire station, get changed into his fire kit and be ready to mobilise within 4 minutes of being alerted.
Steve explains: “Most of the time my fire-fighting doesn’t conflict with my work for Mouchel but there are times when I get called out at night or early in the morning and may be out for much of the day at an incident. Although East Sussex got away lightly in the recent floods, I did get called out one Friday morning and spent the next 6.5 hours pumping out and rescuing people from flooded houses, which meant I didn’t make it into the office that day!”
"To allow for this flexibility I have negotiated a 30 hour contract with Mouchel. This means if I have been out all night at a fire I don’t feel too much pressure to come into the office tired, the next day."
"Mouchel also benefits from the skills and training I receive in the fire service. Earlier this year I was charged with reviewing Health and Safety Policy and Procedures for Mouchel’s Planning and Consultation, as I am a qualified Risk Assessor with the Fire Service. I also plan to provide some Risk Assessment training for my colleagues using what I have learnt through my Fire Service work, where Health and Safety is obviously a priority."