Staff benefits
Working at Churchill College provides you with a range of benefits.
We are an equal opportunity employer, and offer a friendly and informal working atmosphere with a strong commitment to training and professional development.
Pension
New employees are automatically enrolled into the College’s pension scheme. After six months, the College contributes to a defined contribution pension scheme (currently the Group Pension Plan), matching your employee contribution on a 2:1 basis up to a maximum of 14% employer contribution. The rate at which employees contribute to the GPP starts at 5%, but you can choose how much you wish to contribute, up to tax limits for pension contributions.
Annual Leave
The standard leave entitlement is 25.5 days (pro-rata for part-time staff) plus 8 public holidays. Employees are granted additional days’ annual leave in recognition of length of service, to a maximum of 30.5 days plus public holidays.
Health
The College offers a health care cash plan to employees after 6 months’ service. Run by Simplyhealth, membership of the plan allows you to claim back money on the cost of everyday health care, such as dental treatment, eye tests, physiotherapy, consultations etc. The service also provides telephone consultations with a doctor, access to an advice and counselling helpline, and online information on health.
The cost of basic level membership is met in full by the College. You can choose to upgrade your level of cover, or include a partner on the scheme, at your own expense.
Wellbeing
Staff can access counselling through our College support team. Simply email counsellor@chu.cam.ac.uk stating that you are a member of staff who would like access to counselling. (Please don’t give any further details at this point – a member of the counselling team will reply to your email to make contact and you can then discuss your issues in confidence.)
Simplyhealth membership also provides access to a counsellor by phone and to a GP advice line 24/7 365 days a year. Simplyhealth membership is covered by the College: speak to HR if you are not already a member and would like to join.
All members of staff have access to the College Library. The Library’s Wellbeing Collection has over 150 books and ebooks which have been curated by the library team with assistance from the College Nurse and College Counsellor. The collection covers a range of topics including bereavement, depression, anxiety and self-esteem.
Churchill College Wellbeing Collection – Cambridge University
Food
If you are working on-site you can have one free meal during your normal working day. This may be taken as breakfast, lunch or dinner and should be taken during your rest break. You’re entitled to a meal during your working hours, so if you leave work before 12 noon, then you are eligible for breakfast or buttery options.
You will need to present either your fob or University card at the till to obtain your free meal.
- Dining Hall – Two course meal (no canned or bottled drinks) plus dessert.
- E.g. starter (soup/salad) and one main course item plus vegetables of your choice. Your dessert may be taken with your meal or from the Buttery during the day.
or
- Buttery – Sandwich/Sushi, one further item (e.g. crisps) plus dessert (no drinks); or Pizza and dessert.
(There may be some occasions where the Dining Hall is out of use for staff but this will be communicated in advance, and extra food laid on in the Buttery). We aim to cater for all dietary requirements.
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- A dining hall main meal plus dessert
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- Buttery: sandwich, crisps and fruit (dessert)
Gym & Sport
Staff can use the College’s sports facilities, including the gym, squash courts and tennis courts.
You are required to have an induction before using the College gym.
Cycle Scheme
Churchill College is part of this scheme, which can save you 25-39% on a bike and accessories. Payments are taken tax efficiently from your salary. For information about accessing this benefit please email: hr@chu.cam.ac.uk
Tech Scheme
Spread the cost of an item of new technology with payments from your salary across 12, 24 or 36 months and make a National Insurance saving. For information about accessing this benefit please email: hr@chu.cam.ac.uk
Shopping Discounts
Although employed by Churchill College, staff also get benefits from being part of the University of Cambridge. You’re eligible to buy a NUS TOTUM card, providing discounts and offers at thousands of high street and online stores, eateries, subscriptions and more.
Visit CamBens to get your card
Other shopping discounts include:
bYond
This is a prepaid cashback card. With it, you can earn up to 15% cashback when you shop in over 85 retailers, supermarkets and restaurants. This includes Asda, Boots, M&S, Primark, Sainsbury’s and more.
Extras Discounts:
This is a voucher store offering. You can save up to 15% on the upfront cost of gift cards (physical and digital) for over 100 brands. This includes Argos, John Lewis, Morrisons, Spotify and Tesco.
For both bYond and Extras Discounts, staff can sign up with their payroll number (found on your payslip).
Christmas Savings Club
An employee benefit that allows you to make a monthly payment of between £5 and £250 a month with a payout in the November payroll, just in time for Christmas. For information about accessing this benefit please email: hr@chu.cam.ac.uk
