Staff Benefits
Working for our University means a lot more than good pay and service conditions
Benefits of working at the University of Salford
At the University of Salford our staff have access to a whole range of benefits besides their salary. We believe that in their totality these additional benefits contribute considerably to making the University of Salford an employer of choice. Brief details of these benefits are given below.
Financial Benefits
Defined benefit pension schemes: the University offers a Defined benefit pension schemeswhich are supported by the University’s contributions as well as your own. This provides for a guaranteed level of benefits rather than benefits which are dependent on the performance of the Stock Market.
More information is available at
BenefitsPlus: a staff benefits scheme that operates under HM Revenue & Customs approved arrangements whereby employees can adjust the way their pay is calculated in order to take advantage of tax and/or national insurance efficiencies.
BenefitsPlus has four strands:
- BenefitsPlus Childcare Vouchers:All University employees are eligible to join BenefitsPlus Childcare Vouchers if they have a child up to the age of 16. This scheme is administered through a company called Sodexo, more information on the scheme can be found through the link below, however employees can request an invitation to join the scheme by
Childcare Vouchers: Find more information here
- BenefitsPlus Pensions:currently applicable for University Superannuation Pension (USS) members only;
- BenefitsPlus Car Parking: applicable for monthly car parking payments paid directly from salary;
- BenefitsPlus Cycle to Work:As part of the University’s commitment to encouraging sustainable methods of travel, employees can participate in the BenefitsPlus Cycle to Work scheme. The scheme is offered through Evans Cycles Ride2Work scheme whereby the University purchases cycles for employees to use for their commute to work. In exchange for the provision of the cycle, participating employees agree to a reduction in salary to cover the hire charge each month, repaying part of the initial cost to the University and benefiting from tax and National Insurance savings via the salary sacrifice arrangement. Please email for information.
Removal expenses: you may qualify for financial assistance towards the cost of moving house to come to work at the University under the removal expenses scheme. Please contact the Human Resources division for more information.
Give As You Earn (GAYE): otherwise known as Payroll Giving,this is a way of making tax free donations to charity direct from your salary. If you are interested, please contact the Payroll Section for more information x 54193 or
Individual merit and team reward schemes: the University operates individual merit and team reward schemes in recognition of outstanding work performance.
Family Friendly Benefits
Childcare vouchers: see above
Family friendly ethos: the University recognises that from time to time you may have urgent carer commitments and seeks wherever possible to help you in such circumstances. In addition it offers occupational maternity and adoptive leave schemes which are more generous than their statutory counterparts.
Flexitime scheme: a flexitime scheme is in operation for Clerical, Secretarial and Executive Officer roles. However certain posts are excluded from the scheme.
Job share opportunities: the University is supportive of this concept and has a job share scheme in place.
Nursery: the University has an on-site nursery run by Busy Bees, which staff can access at a discounted rate. See
Job Related Training
Induction: you are offered a structured induction programme both at a local and organisational level. You should work with your manager to maximise this.
IT training: you will be given access to work-related IT training during work time at no financial cost to you. Please contact the Digital Skills Team to find out more.
Staff development: you will be encouraged to engage in relevant training courses, workshops, events, online learning, webinars, coaching and mentoring in order to progress your personal/career development. You should take every opportunity to seek out and engage with suitable development to enhance your skills and the contribution your can make to the University. Tailored advice is always available; please access information through the Staff Channel in the first instance.
Employee Support and Wellbeing
Employee Assistance Programme (EAP):“Firstassist” is the University’s EAP provider (from CAPITA) they offer aprofessional, confidential advice and support service thatis available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. For free confidential advice Call 0800 716 017
The “Firstassist” Web Portal provides information, selfhelp guides on a wide range of topics including health,wellbeing, legal and relationship issues. To find out more simply visit:
Equality and Diversity:the University is building an ethos in which all staff value the principles of equality of opportunity and the right to be treated fairly. It also welcomes the presence of the University of Salford’s black and minority ethnic staff network, the LGBT network, the disabled staff network and the women’s network.
The Partnership Working Group: this is a regularly occurring trade union and management forum which ensures that any proposed changes to your working arrangements are subject to consultation and negotiation.
Careers advice: you have access to the University’s career advisory service. See
Occupational Health & Wellbeing:The Health and Wellbeing department employ a team of professionals who provide a diverse range of wellbeing advice and services free to all employees. These include Health Clinics, Physiotherapy, Counselling and a Employee Support Programme. See
Podiatry services: you will have access to the University’s podiatry service. See
Sports Injury, Exercise & Rehabilitation and Sports Massage Clinic: Based in the Podiatry Clinic, the Sports Injury, Exercise and Rehabilitation Clinic runs on Mondays and Tuesdays and is also open outside the academic semesters. See
Other Services
Library services: you will have free access to the University’s full range of library services, plus entry to the other Greater Manchester universities’ libraries.
On-campus Facilities
Prayer room: the University respects your right to freedom of religious belief and makes a prayer room available for staff.
Car parking: for a modest fee you can use the campus car parks which are supervised by University security staff.You will need to buy a car park permit if you wish to park regularly and these can be arranged with the Car Parking office in Maxwell reception. If you additionally join BenefitsPlus Car Parking you will effectively be able to reduce the cost of your car parking permit.
The car parks do however get full very quickly during term time so you may wish to consider travelling by public transport instead; many buses stop next to the University,Salford Crescent train station is on the University campus.
Bicycle Facilities: There are around 400 spaces to park bicycles across all of the University campuses. These are predominantlySheffield stands which allow the user to secure both wheels and the frame with two locks as demonstrated here.
A full map of cycle storage and showers can be viewed here.
Also see our SustainableTravel webpage
Sports Facilities: you will have competitively priced access to the University’s Sports Centre including 25 metre swimming pool with Spa and sauna, 4 room fitness suite, squash courts and sports hall. There is a range of membership options available including free Personal Programmes.
Every new member of staff is entitled to claim a 1 month free trial membership atany point within their first 6 months of employment. If you would like to take up this offer please contact the Sports Centre to arrange it. See for more information
Catering facilities:many University’s sites have hot meal and snack facilities. The SALFOOD café and Starbucks Coffee branded facilities in several University buildings provides a wide variety of food and refreshment options.
Banking facilities: the University offers on-site banking facilities with a Santander branchon campus.
Cultural activities: the City of Salford Museum and ArtGallery are sited on campus and the University’s Peel Hall and Robert Powell Theatre regularly host plays, concerts and recitals.
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Staff Benefits
Revised 09/07/2015