Joe, Zara and Nadim

 

Key facts:

47 years old

Chinese, originally from Singapore

Teacher

Works in a secondary school in south Sheffield

Salary range: £30,000+

 

Joe says, “My job involves teaching profoundly deaf pupils in a special unit we have at school as well as supporting them in class, primarily using sign language.

 

“I’ve worked as a teacher for Sheffield City Council since 1991 at several schools including Greystones Primary, Firth Park, High Storrs and Ecclesfield secondary schools.

 

“I really enjoy my job as our pupils have such diverse personalities and disabilities.  My colleagues in the Deaf Unit are fantastic to work with because they are very professional and supportive of each other.

 

“I’m also an active trade unionist in the NASUWT, the largest teacher trade union in the UK.  I am the local Equalities and Recruitment Officer as well as a member of the national Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Advisory Committee.”

 

Key facts:

34 years old

White British

Customer Services Adviser

Based just outside the City Centre

Salary range: £16,137 - £17,985

 

Zara says, “As a Customer Services Adviser my job involves helping the public access Council services at First Point in Howden House.  I have also been on secondment working on the 101 Service – the new phone number people can call when it’s not a 999 emergency.

 

“I’ve worked for the City Council since 1990.  Outside work I’m a sports coach in disability sport.  I’m also teach a ‘Skills for Life’ course for people with learning disabilities at the Sheffield College.

 

“I’m a below-the-knee amputee and I’ve also got a visual impairment.  So my work computer has a large screen and I have adapted some of the settings.

 

“I enjoy helping the public at First Point.  It’s very varied because we get to see the wide range of services the Council provides.  I really enjoyed working at the 101 Service because I could use my own initiative and creativity.  The Council’s a good place to work.”

 

Key facts:

30 years old

Pakistani

Project Officer, Early Years Education and Childcare Service

Based in the City Centre

Salary range: £25,437 - £26,928

 

Nadim says, “I work with a range of organisations that the Council has contracts with to provide play schemes and other ‘out of school’ activities across Sheffield.  I prepare and distribute funding applications and I also give business advice.

 

“I joined Sheffield City Council in 2001.  I graduated from University in 1999 and I worked in the north of France for a while, then I worked for HSBC before joining the Council.

 

“I work in a really good team.  For me that’s really important.  I like the flexible hours here and I like working for the biggest employer in Sheffield.  There are lots of opportunities for progression.

 

“I feel comfortable to sometimes wear Asian clothes in the office.

 

“This is a good place to work so I’d recommend it to other people.”