Employee Benefits

Annual Leave

In addition to our generous annual leave schemes employees are entitled to public holidays and additional days (normally 6 in total) when the University is closed around Easter and Christmas.

Annual leave entitlements:

Grades 2 to 5 (inclusive) Take up to 21 days annual leave per year, increasing to 25 days after 5 years’ service. (The entitlement will be pro rata for part-time colleagues).

Grade 6 to 9 (inclusive) 26 days annual leave per year. (The entitlement will be pro rata for part-time colleagues).

Annual Leave Purchase

And if this still isn’t enough, there is the option to purchase an additional 10 days annual leave each year (subject to approval and pro rata for part-time colleagues). Applications to purchase additional annual leave can be made in July and August (for the leave year beginning in October of that year) and line manager approval is required.

Employee Volunteer Leave

The University’s Employee Volunteering - Time to Make a Difference policy entitles every staff member to two additional days of paid leave (pro rata to their contract) each year to volunteer for a charity, organisation or other good cause. 

Family and Carer Leave

The University offers occupational leave and pay schemes (paying over and above the minimum statutory levels) for Maternity, Adoption, Childbirth or Adoption Support (Paternity), Shared Parental and Neonatal Care leave policies. It also has an occupational pay scheme for Carer’s leave.

Supporting Voluntary Public Duties

Employees, depending on the demands of the role, are entitled to special leave of up to 10 days with pay and up to 8 further days without pay in any period of 12 months for the purpose of carrying out duties such as a Justice of the Peace, a member of a local authority, a member of any statutory tribunal or a member of a school managing body (a school governor).

Pay

Nationally negotiated salary increases, normally effective in August each year

Automatic pay rises each year within your grade band (incremental progression)

Pension

Members of staff have the opportunity to join a pension scheme offered by the University. The scheme is funded by contributions made by both members and the University with the University paying the majority of the cost. Under current HM Revenue and Customs rules, pension scheme members receive tax relief on their contributions to a registered pension scheme and this has the effect of reducing the cost of joining a scheme to members. In addition, the University operates a salary exchange scheme called Pensions+ which is a more effective way of paying into your pension scheme.

Employees on grades 2-5 can join URPS (the ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ Pension Scheme) which is a defined contribution scheme. This means that contributions from both you and the employer are paid into a Retirement Account which is invested and managed by Aviva. On retirement, the Retirement Account is used to provide benefits for you and your Dependants. Contribution rates are 4% of pay for employees and 5% of pay for the employer. The employer's rate increases to 7% once an employee has completed 5 years of continuous membership of the Scheme. Also included is Life Cover of 6 times your salary.

Employees on grade 6 and above can join USS (the Universities Superannuation Scheme). USS is a hybrid scheme with benefits built up on both a defined benefit and a defined contribution basis (if pay exceeds a certain level).

As of 1 January 2024, the contribution rates for USS have changed. Members of USS now pay 6.1% of their salary in to USS as contributions towards the cost of providing benefits, and the University now contribute 14.5% as the employer. When staff join USS, they will automatically qualify for life cover equal to three times their salary so long as they remain an active member paying into USS.

 

Employee Assistance Programme

The University provides for its employees (and members of their household) access to an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), which is independent, free and confidential for both emotional and practical support and available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. A Manager Adviceline is also available Monday to Friday in office hours to confidentially discuss challenges and problems they are experiencing in managing a team.

Discounts and deals

• Discounted bus travel in Reading by purchasing either an 90 day or annual bus pass having been validated as a ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ employee
• ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ employees have access to the same brand discounts and cashback that students enjoy by purchasing a TOTUM membership and can sign up to Unidays for discount codes and offers.
• Season ticket loans up to the value of £7,500 on an interest-free basis.
• Access to take out a Health Cash Plan premium to pay monthly to pay for routine healthcare.
• An interest-free Visa Loan Scheme to help reduce the financial impact of Global Talent Visa, Skilled Worker Visa, British National Overseas Visa, ILR  and British Citizenship application costs. The loan can be used to help spread the costs associated with employees' visa applications, the NHS surcharge and visa applications for dependents.

 

Optional Benefits

Schemes such as Cycle2Work, season ticket loans and discounted bus travel are just some of the packages staff can benefit from.

Personal and Career Development Opportunities

The University provides a wide range of learning opportunities aiming to help you to reach your full potential. We offer a wide range of learning and development opportunities including classroom and online training, tailored development support, apprenticeships, research staff development, leadership and management development, coaching and mentoring.

Facilities

Staff can take advantage of the on-site sports facilities at the SportsPark, with a wide range of classes to choose from and use of the gym before, during or after work. Find out more about .

You will find several eateries and cafés on all our campuses along with a traditional pub on the Whiteknights campus, where staff can enjoy food and drinks, boasting a variety of fresh ingredients. For more information on our Menus for Change and other sustainability initiatives, please see .

As an environmentally conscious university, our Park Eat and The Square venues are home to a sustainable market featuring vegetarian and vegan food, a bring-your-own-container service, environmentally friendly cleaning products, and other ethically sourced products.

Whiteknights campus regularly hosts an international street food market. With vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options, the market caters to all dietary equirements.  During term-time there is also a weekly fruit and vegetable market on the Whiteknights campus.

We also have a Co-op supermarket on Whiteknights Campus, where you can stock up on essentials or grab lunch on the go with a handy cash-point located just outside the store.

The Students’ Union building also hosts food and drink outlets, a ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ merchandise store, and other retail outlets that staff can access.

Campus Locations

Our Green Flag Award winning Whiteknights campus is not far from Reading town centre. It has its own bus stop, serving Reading Buses, a free park and ride from Mereoak and Thames Valley Park and with on-site permit parking available.

It is set in 130 hectares of beautiful parkland, so you’ll find plenty of places to relax during your breaks.  Within the parkland there is a large lake, teeming with birdlife, and edged by a path which provides for a pleasant lunchtime walk.  There is also a small botanical garden, known as the Harris Garden, which provides an alternative area for walking or sitting on one of the many benches located there.

Our London Road campus is one of the University’s original campuses and is home to the Great Hall, which is used for concerts and graduation ceremonies, the Museum of English Rural Life and a bar/cafe that serves hot and cold food. This campus is within walking distance of Reading town centre and Reading mainline and Elizabeth line train stations, but also has on-site permit parking available if required.

Home to one of Europe’s top business schools, our stunning  is situated on the banks of the River Thames near Henley and boasts wonderful views, offices and on-site permit parking for staff.

Diversity and Inclusion

The university stands by recruiting, supporting, and developing staff from the widest variety of backgrounds. You can check out the personal experiences of some of our colleagues on Faces of Reading pages.

You can read more on the university’s emphasis on equality, our strategies, charter marks and achievements.

Staff networks and groups

Building a staff community is important to us and so at the ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ, there are various staff networks that you can join, including the Race Equity Network, LGBTQIA+, Parent and Carers Toger (PACT@UoR), Staff Disability network, and Women@Reading . All networks welcome new members and tend to share ideas, advice and organise events.

Whether you are interested in crafts, bread-making, singing or sport, there are many staff groups that meet to enjoy their hobbies and talents.

There is also an opportunity for staff who have attended the Springboard Programme to join a Professional Development Group, Women’s Springboard Network or in volunteering groups, such as litter picking or fundraising. The Celebration of Volunteering event brings together colleagues, students, alumni and community partners to reward, showcase and celebrate those who have given up their time to make a difference on campus and in our local community.

Health and Wellbeing at Work

The University has a strong commitment to employee health and wellbeing. We recognise that a good working environment can positively impact on the health and happiness of our staff and aim to provide a workplace that embraces inclusivity and flexibility and provides everyone with the opportunity to manage their time and their commitments in the best way that they can.

Employees have access to an Employee Assistance Programme, which offers a free, independent advice line for staff and their families. This covers various topics including Family, Health, Legal advice, Health and financial support.

In addition to this, the University offers the opportunity for Flexible or Smart Working/Hybrid working arrangements where possible.

Our in-house Occupational Health team are on-hand to support all employees with their health and wellbeing if required and our generous occupational sick pay gives peace of mind if you cannot work temporarily.

The Staff Forum discusses and seeks practical solutions to improving your working experience, including bringing forward your questions, ideas or concerns to senior management. Its monthly sessions alternate between virtual Teams events and in-person drop-ins and offer advice and information on opportunities and issues affecting colleagues.