Frequently Asked Questions
Holiday Staff Benefits
 

1. Am I eligible to take part in these programme?

This programme enables the Employer to provide this Benefit to eligible approved employees in return for a reduction in salary (salary sacrifice).

Eligible employees are permanent employees and employees on a fixed term contract for a period of 12 months prior to being able to enter this benefit and you intend to remain with your Employer for the full length of the benefit period. Participants must be paid through the Employer PAYE payroll 

You are eligible if you meet all the criteria below:

• You are paid by the Employer through the Employer payroll; and
• You are at least 18 years old; and
• You are a substantive employee with a minimum of 12 months service, and you intend to remain with your Employer for the full length of the benefit period; and
• You are paid above National Minimum/Living Wage after you have sacrificed your salary.

 

2. How does the salary sacrifice work?

A salary sacrifice is where an employee gives up the right to receive part of their cash pay due under their contract of employment. With all the Benefit Programmes offered the employee agrees to accept a reduced amount of salary each month and their employer may provide them with a benefit, for example a holiday.  The monthly Gross Salary reductions will be made direct from salary through Payroll, starting the month following the submission of your approved order.

As shown and stated, this is a non-cash benefit on which you make statutory savings. For this compliance reason, it is not allowed that your Holiday Package can ever be refunded for cash.

 

3. My employment is due to cease before the end of the Salary Sacrifice Agreement Period; can I still participate?

The Benefit Agreement will terminate when you leave employment (e.g. on retirement) and you would be liable to pay the outstanding reductions due to the end of the Benefit Agreement.  This will be taken out of your final net salary. If we are unable to deduct from your final net salary, an invoice will be sent to you for the full amount that is outstanding.

 

4. If my employment ceases on grounds of redundancy, how will my redundancy figures be calculated?

Redundancy figures will be calculated on the gross salary before the benefit reduction.  However, you will be liable to pay the outstanding reductions due to the end of the Benefit Agreement and this will be taken out of your final net salary. If we are unable to deduct from your final net salary, an invoice will be sent to you for the full amount that is outstanding.

 

5. What happens if I am absent from work for a period? 

If you are absent from work for any reason other than holiday or paid sick leave during the term of the Agreement, then your payments will be suspended for the period of such leave. 

On your return, we will recommence the payments until 12 monthly salary sacrifice reductions have occurred. 

 

6. How much will this Benefit cost me?

Your Gross Pay will be reduced by an amount, equivalent in total to the value that you’ve chosen, spread evenly over the number of Benefit Periods. 

 

7. How much will I actually save through the programme?

You will save on National Insurance (NIC). Payslips will show the Gross Salary reduction shown on the Website for your chosen selection(s), but this figure is then subject to savings on NIC.  

The value of the Benefit in Kind will be applied to your pay and will be shown separately on your payslip.
 

8. What is the P11D value of these products?

The P11D value for Income Tax purposes is 100% of the total annual value of the travel and/or accommodation you have selected. So, for a £1,000 spend, spread over twelve months, you will pay tax on this amount, but you will not be subject to an NIC charge.

You are not required to pay, and therefore save your NIC contributions on this full amount.  

 

9. What and how much can I select through the programme?

You can select from the travel and/or accommodation packages shown on our Website. The total amount that you select as a non-cash benefit will reduce your Salary but your basic earnings (excluding unsocial hour's allowances) must not fall below the National Minimum/Living Wage. 

 

10. Am I eligible to select this Benefit?

The salary sacrifice scheme is open to all staff on the PAYE payroll where basic salary does not go below the National Minimum/Living Wage after the salary sacrifice has been applied.

 

11. Will this programme be offered again?

The programme will be reviewed on an on-going basis, but it cannot be guaranteed that it will be run again in the future.

 

12. Can I change my mind once I have signed the Benefit Agreement?

No. Once you have signed your Benefit Agreement you are not allowed to cancel. However, your employer has given you an additional right and you may cancel this agreement, but only and strictly prior to you confirming your Holiday Package arrangements with our travel Operator. Once a Holiday Package is booked by you, it cannot be cancelled or refunded for cash.

 

13. How am I made aware if my Employer has approved my travel selections?

Our Benefit Provider will contact you using the email address you have supplied. Please only supply an email address that you monitor and regularly use.

 

14. What insurances are included?

Insurance is arranged by Hays Travel/Hoseasons and include ABTA, ATOL policies.

 

15. When will I receive my chosen selection(s)?

Confirmation of your Selection Approval by your Employer will be sent by email soon after the closing date of each Benefit Offer. You will be contacted by email or text to advise you regarding the method of delivery and date. 

Delivery will normally be within 4 weeks of the order window closing, but please monitor your emails for updates regarding this.

 

16. When will payroll reductions start?

Payroll reductions will commence one month after the close of the ordering window. Note that reductions will start as stated, regardless of whether you have received your complete selection details or not. 

 

17. Where can I find the Travel Benefit Helpline numbers?

Please be advised that our travel provider [Hays Travel] will provide the travel benefits to you and not the Trust.

Their contact number is 0808 231 6619.

 

18. What do I do when all Travel details are delivered?

You are required to confirm receipt by signing the delivery confirmation / acceptance note.

Please read the Travel/Accommodation arrangements and terms and conditions documents in full.

 

You are responsible for completing and returning any registration or bookings forms and doing anything else needed to arrange your travel and accommodation.

 

If you are unsure about any travel arrangements or if you believe the Travel details are incorrect, then you should promptly contact our Benefit Operator, so that if applicable, arrangements can be made to correct this information. Should you fail to do this, and Travel/ Accommodation arrangements cannot later be altered, you and not us, will be liable for this and Salary Reductions will continue as per the period amount details shown on this signed document.

 

19. What if I leave my employment for any reason?

If you end your employment with your employer, the Benefit Agreement will terminate. We will ask you to pay the remaining amounts on the package(s) you have chosen. This will be deducted from your final net salary. If we are unable to deduct the outstanding amount from your final salary you will be required to forward a cheque to us for the full amount that is outstanding. 

 

20. Does the adjustment to my salary make a difference to any other benefits?

The adjustment of your salary will have no effect on salary-related payments such as overtime and shift.

These payments are based on your total remuneration, i.e. revised gross salary plus the value of the Benefit. Statutory benefits are calculated on your salary less the money you have paid for your benefit(s).

Your lower rate statutory benefits may remain unaffected. Statutory benefits such as sick pay and job seekers allowance are unlikely to be affected as long as your earnings do not fall below the lower earnings limit for NIC purposes.

 

PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU READ THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS