Our Rewards and Benefits

Our Rewards and Benefits

At Staffordshire University you can enjoy an extensive range of benefits and support:

Incremental Pay Scales

The majority of roles enjoy the benefit of annual progression through the scale by receiving an increment on 1 August, together with any nationally agreed cost of living pay increases.

Annual leave

Staffordshire University offers a generous annual leave entitlement. Employees working a five-day week are entitled to a minimum of 29 days rising to 37 days dependent on the grade of the post, together with 11 bank holidays and discretionary days.

The table below shows the annual leave entitlement for a member of staff working a five-day week:

Pension schemes

We know that one of the most important ways we can help you during your working life is with retirement planning. You will be eligible to join our excellent defined contribution pension scheme – Staffordshire University Pension Scheme (SUPS), with generous employer contributions that always exceed your own.

We have four contribution tiers as outlined in the table below:

We will also provide you with benefits in the event that you are unable to continue working due to ill health. The scheme also offers a generous death in service benefit. 

Employee Assistance Programme

At Staffordshire University you will enjoy the benefits of our Employee Assistance provider, LifeWorks. They provide information, advice and support from qualified experts, via an easily accessible, confidential and free of charge helpline, giving you unlimited access to general information, support and advice on a range of issues - 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

You will also have access to a range of digital health and wellbeing resources through the Help@Hand app. You and your family will have access to the following services:

• Remote GP appointment
• Mental health support
• Physiotherapy
• Medical second opinions
• Life, money and wellbeing support

Flexible Working opportunities

We offer lots of flexibility in the way we work. This allows us to provide new and improved services to our customers and goes some way to help you achieve the all-important work-life balance.

We have recently introduced a Location Based Working Framework, which allows work activities to take place in the most appropriate location. It gives staff the opportunity to work from home for part of the week, if their role allows this and in agreement with the line manager. We believe that by offering this opportunity, it gives staff more flexibility to manage their work-life balance whilst improving productivity and wellbeing.  

Staff Health and Wellbeing

The health and wellbeing of our staff is extremely important to the University and we are continually working to create a culture that supports the wellbeing of our staff and enables them to succeed.

In addition, we offer a range of wellbeing resources that are continually refreshed and updated with new offers. This includes:

• Access to a free will-writing service
• Free annual flu vaccinations
• Discounted gym memberships and fitness classes
• Access to mental health support through our trained Mental Health First Aiders 
• And many more!

The Stanley Matthews Sports Centre based on the Stoke campus offers a wide range of first class facilities, activities and sports clubs, catering for all tastes and interests at very competitive rates, including some free classes..

Family leave Policies

The University offers enhanced benefits over and above the statutory provisions for maternity, paternity, adoption and surrogacy, parental and shared parental leave provisions. We have also recently introduced a Fostering Friendly Policy.

Discounted travel by rail or bus

The University offers a number of options to assist with the cost of travel to work as part of its Sustainable Travel initiative, including discount tickets and interest-free loans. The local railway station in Stoke on Trent is just on the doorstep of the University so access to the Campus could not be easier.

Car Parking

For a small annual fee car parking is provided for staff, students and visitors on our Stoke-On-Trent and Stafford campuses. The typical current cost is £30 per quarter.

View our location maps at:

http://www.staffs.ac.uk/about/campuses/stoke/

Great on-campus facilities

The Catalyst, which opened in 2022, is a University within a building based at our Stoke Campus. It brings together social, study, teaching and support functions as well as delivering events space, community space, food outlets and more.

A University hub providing world-class services and settings to support students through their education and towards their employment, the building will also reach out to, and welcome, both current and future students, staff and employers.

A state-of-the-art £5.8 million Centre for Health Innovation at Stafford also opened in 2022. The facility aims to meet modern demands and challenges in the sector, meaning that students, healthcare professionals and start-up businesses, will have the chance to immerse themselves in the latest medical techniques and methods.

Founded in 2019, Staffordshire University London is located in the Here East Building in Stratford, the largest technological hub in London, which is also based in the beautiful surroundings of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

You will also have to facilities both on site and in the surrounding areas including coffee shops and lounges, a bistro, bars, convenience shops, , cash machines, and plenty of learning spaces.

Childcare

In 2022, we opened our brand-new Nursery and Forest School in the heart of our Stoke-on-Trent campus on Leek Road.

Our Nursery and Forest School brings the forest setting to our city campus and is not only connected with its landscaped and idyllic surroundings, but also provides inspirational and flexible learning spaces that offer developing children digital experiences too.

We understand just how critical it is that childcare evolves ahead of the times, so our team are committed to helping to build essential prerequisite skills to support your child’s future learning, as well as providing a fun and loving environment to nurture our little professionals of tomorrow. 

Our full day care OFSTED registered nursery employs a highly qualified team of staff and offers high level provision and facilities which is open all year round.

You may be eligible for free childcare or help with childcare costs under the UK government scheme. More information is available by following this link to the GOV.UK website:

https://www.gov.uk/get-childcare

Multifaith Chaplaincy

The Chaplaincy Service at Staffs Uni is available to everyone, staff and students, religious or otherwise. 

Our team is led by the University Chaplain, with support from volunteer faith advisors, and includes dedicated places for worship, pastoral care and opportunities to support local charities. 

Celebrating achievement

We believe in recognising and celebrating success. Every year at our Celebrating Staff Success event, we recognise all those colleagues who, throughout that year, have made Staffordshire University a great place to work and study. From a Rising Star, to an Inspirational Leader, you will have the opportunity to nominate your colleagues who have achieved amazing things or demonstrated our values. Perhaps you’ll receive a nomination yourself! 

Celebrating Staff Success is an annual event that takes place in October and is a great opportunity to show appreciation for all the hard work of our staff and celebrate our achievements.

Occupational Health Services

We work with a third-party occupational health provider, Optima Health, to ensure your health and wellbeing is looked after in the workplace. This begins when you join us, and includes support in managing any illness during your employment.

Libraries and Learning Resources

Our modern refurbished libraries aren't just about books - they are a massive resource of information tailored to the needs of both staff and students, and a great learning space.

Trade Union Membership

Staffordshire University is proud to work in partnership with two trade unions: The University and College Union (UCU) and UNISON. Both the UCU and UNISON are there to provide advice, guidance and support on a range of employment-related matters. Membership of either union is voluntary – simply contact the relevant Union to find out more:

Enquiries.ucu@staffs.ac.uk

Enquiries.unison@staffs.ac.uk