Why is an Employee Hub being introduced?
In order to provide you with a single location for information, guidance and access to everything relating to employee benefits and recognition.The feedback from the Staff Engagement Survey and various other forums highlighted a clear opportunity to ensure all employees are able to access information in one central location to promote understanding and raise the profile of the wide range of benefits available.
Who is it for?
All contracted University of Nottingham employees.
How do I access the Employee Hub?
What changes are being made to the current range of benefits already being provided?
The current range of voluntary benefits is being expanded significantly over the next few months. Existing arrangements will either be maintained, such as in the case of childcare voucher entitlements through Edenred, or improved. We have partnered with a new voluntary benefits provider, Sodexo, to help manage the operation of the Employee Hub and provide access to their improved range of benefits. The new benefit entitlements available from early November 2018 will include an Employee Assistance Programme, improved discount entitlements, a Spree card, and an Employee NUS Card (called a TOTUM card, an annual cost of £12 applies).
Over the next few months we hope to add a car leasing scheme, financial products and a voluntary private healthcare offer. We will look at further options over the next 12 months.
Is there a charge to access the benefits provided by the Employee Hub?
There is no cost to access the service provided by the Employee Assistance Programme.
What range of discounts are provided through the Employee Hub and how much could I save?
The hub will offer you money off hundreds of retailers at over 130,000 popular stores. The range is designed to appeal to all age groups, incomes and tastes, and could save the average employee over £1,000 per year.
What is a Spree Card?
A card you can pre-load with funds to make unlimited cashback savings in store at over 50 top national retailers including Sainsbury’s, Boots, Debenhams, John Lewis, M&S, The Body Shop, Argos, B&Q and Top Shop. They have the features of a normal card (chip and PIN, contactless and fraud protection) and it comes with an app making it easier to check balances, top up funds, view available cashback and view retailers. A small annual fee applies. Users can save over £500 a year on average.
Is there a charge for the employee NUS card and is it effectively the same as a Student NUS card?
The benefits are exactly the same as a Student NUS (now TOTUM) card. Currently a charge of £12 applies for one year card, £22 for a two year card and £32 for a three year card. They are same as the Student NUS card, also changed to TOTUM, click
here for details.
If I use the Employee Assistance Programme service, will my manager receive any information about it?
No, if you access the service it will be treated in the strictest confidence and your manager will not be notified or receive any information. Your manager may discuss referring you to the service if it is considered appropriate. It will be entirely your choice if you wish to do so.
How does salary sacrifice work?
Salary sacrifice, sometimes referred to as an Optional Remuneration Arrangement (OpRA), happens when an employee gives up the right to receive part of the cash pay due under his or her contract of employment. Usually the sacrifice is made in return for the employer’s agreement to provide the employee with some form of non-cash benefit. The 'sacrifice' is achieved by varying the employee’s terms and conditions of employment relating to pay. The current Salary Sacrifice schemes offered are Childcare Vouchers, Cycle to Work and some pension schemes.
What happens if I leave employment part way through a salary sacrifice arrangement?
The implications of leaving employment part way through such an arrangement would be detailed in the agreement ahead of the arrangement taking effect. Where payment remains outstanding, this is likely to be recovered from the final salary payment. Where this cannot meet the full balance then an additional payment would be required.
I currently receive childcare vouchers through the University’s current scheme, will I need to switch providers from 1 November 2018?
No, Edenred will continue to operate and administer the childcare voucher scheme from 1 November in the usual way. If the scheme is to transfer to another provider you will be notified in advance as appropriate.
The Government are changing the tax rules relating to childcare vouchers from 4 October 2018 aren’t they?
Yes, all Childcare Voucher Schemes closed for new entrants on Thursday 4 October 2018. This means that anyone who wishes to use the childcare voucher scheme had to be in receipt of their first voucher on or before Wednesday 3 October 2018. The childcare voucher scheme is being replaced by a government ‘ Tax-Free Childcare Scheme’.
I want to make sure information about my University club/group/society is featured on the Employee Hub, how do I make sure it will be included?
There will be a facility on the Employee Hub for you to email all the details of your request which will go through an approval process before being added to the Employee Hub.
What data are you sharing with Sodexo to enable the Employee Hub to work?
Standard work contact details including name, email address, job title, location, department and payroll number will be shared as required for their service provision. All in strict adherence to our
Privacy Notice and the General Data Protection Regulation.