Working at the University of Southampton gives you access to a wide range of benefits in addition to our competitive rates of pay.
Our core benefits include pension scheme membership; a generous annual leave allowance (supplemented by University closure days and public holidays) and family leave arrangements (including maternity, paternity, adoption and parental leave).
Other benefits we offer include a cycle to work scheme; low emission car scheme; access to private dental and/or healthcare insurance and health assessments; employee assistance programme; discounted sports membership; an on-site nursery at our Highfield campus; a wide variety of on and off-campus arts and culture facilities; and access to a range of staff discounts and offers at local shops, restaurants and service providers.
Depending on the benefit, you get different types of savings. Some are available via salary sacrifice where the cost of the benefits is deducted through Payroll, and you make savings on tax and National Insurance. Others are voluntary benefits where you are able to get discounts or free facilities and services.
For more information, visit the My Reward and Recognition SharePoint site.
If you have any questions on this, or benefits available at the University of Southampton, please get in touch via reward@soton.ac.uk.
Any employee may apply to purchase additional holiday, whether you are full-time or part-time or employed on an open-ended or fixed-term basis.
There is no qualifying length of service requirement.
Each year our Benefits Fair brings together a number of our benefit and discount providers on to Highfield Campus, so you can learn about all the benefits available to you.
Make a monthly tax-free donation to any UK registered charity direct from your salary.
Closed to new applicants, this scheme allows existing members to pay for childcare directly from their monthly pay.
This scheme gives you the opportunity to take advantage of tax and National Insurance savings on the purchase of a bike, while keeping fit and contributing to a greener economy.
This scheme covers preventative treatment including routine check-ups and examinations, as well as restorative treatment such as fillings, root canal and crowns.
The University offers a range of retail, leisure and service discounts to all our staff. Explore our staff discounts portal to discover what's available to you.
The University provides all staff with access to an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) which supports you to cope with life’s difficulties and challenges.
The EAP provides ‘in the moment support’ for mental health or stress related issues and a range of benefits to support you in everyday life.
The University offers free eye tests through a leading high street optician for computer / workstation users. The process is quick and straightforward to obtain a voucher, which is valid for three months and can be used in any of the retailer's stores.
Voluntary health assessments are available to all employees and their family members over the age of 18 at a discounted corporate rate. They are a self-funded benefit and can be accessed directly through Bupa.
The health screening provision comprises a range of assessments and tests that can help identify health risks at an early stage. Screenings typically include measuring blood pressure, height, weight and body fat levels, as well as lung function, cholesterol, diabetes and metabolic rate testing.
A Personal Health plan puts you in control, giving you the freedom to shape a healthcare plan that’s built around you and your family. With a swift diagnosis and prompt treatment, you can get the help, support and understanding from people who care.
Staff at the University of Southampton receive a generous entitlement to paid holiday, which is in excess of statutory leave entitlements. Your entitlement includes contractual holiday entitlement, Bank Holidays and University Closure Days.
This interest-free advance of salary provision is intended to help employees manage short-term cash flow problems and/or unexpected one-off costs, providing the option of a short-term, interest-free advance of salary where other more expensive borrowing options might otherwise be pursued.
University policy is to acknowledge continuous long service by providing a long service award, consisting of a pin badge and commemorative card for 10 years' service. In addition to the pin badge and card, a gift is presented for 20 years, 30 years, 40 years, and 50 years service.
The University's guidance allows faculties and professional services to provide employees with swift recognition for exemplary work on an ad hoc basis. Schemes will differ slightly within each area of the University.
The University of Southampton partners with a leading low emission car salary sacrifice provider, NHS Fleet Solutions, to provide employees with a tax-efficient way to lease a brand new fully electric or ultra-low emission car.
The University has nine pay grades from Level 1a through to Level 7. Pay scales at Levels 1 to 6 are based on the nationally negotiated single pay spine. Separate pay scales apply for ERE staff at Level 7, MSA staff at Level 7 and for clinical staff.
The University runs the administration for a number of pension schemes for staff. Eligible new university employees will be enrolled into the relevant pension scheme for their position.
As a university in the top 100 of universities globally (QS World Ranking 2023), we attract people from all over the world. We want you to settle into your new role and become an active member of the University community as soon as possible, enjoying life in your new surroundings.
The Reward and Recognition team have a newsletter every other month, with information on the latest offers and discounts for staff.
Staff Achievement Awards are designed to reward outstanding achievements from our staff across all levels and roles.
The Staff Achievement Award scheme is intended to reward those who can demonstrate outstanding achievement or excellence of a short-term nature, above and beyond what is required of their usual role and which is of such a high standard that it has made a difference to our students, customers, colleagues, the department or the University as a whole.
The annual Vice-Chancellor's Awards celebrate the extraordinary contributions of our colleagues across all areas of the staff community, whose creativity, passion and outstanding skills bring our strategy to life.