EPUT Staff Benefits: looking after our staff

EPUT offers a wide range of benefits and wellbeing support to its staff. This includes financial support, such as pensions and sick pay, as well as non-financial support, such as access to counselling and other health and wellbeing services.

EPUT is featured in the top 100 employers index for Health Service Journal

Inclusive and welcoming work culture

The Trust is committed to equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice both in the provision of services and in our role as a major employer.

EPUT believes that all people have the right to be treated with dignity and respect and is committed to the elimination of unfair and unlawful discriminatory practices. The Trust is aware of its responsibility under the legal duties of the Human Rights Act 1998. Section 6 of the Human Rights Act requires all public authorities to uphold and promote Human Rights in everything they do.

We are committed to carrying out our functions and service delivery in line with the Human Rights Act, the Equality Act 2010, Workforce Race Equality Standard (WRES), Workforce Disability Equality Standard (WDES), Gender Pay Gap, Accessible Information Standards & Sexual Orientation Monitoring Standard (SOMS).

Join a welcoming community with lots to get involved in, including engagement events, challenges, competitions and staff recognition awards

Fantastic support and investment into employee health and wellbeing, partnering with Age UK, Disability Two Ticks and Mindful Employer, as well as internal support from dedicated resources.

Supportive Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Network which upholds equality and inclusion within EPUT and ensure that everyone has a voice.

Occupational health and counselling provision, which includes a 24-hour counselling support line for staff and access to advice about a range of issues, such as finance and debt, consumer rights, housing, welfare and family rights and domestic violence.

We have five staff networks (LGBTQ+, Disability and Mental Health, Faith and Spirituality, Gender Network, Ethnic Minority and Race Equality).

We collaborate with our staff and encourage them to share their lived experiences to raise awareness. As well as a supportive Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Network, we also provide a Freedom to Speak Up policy to anonymously raise concerns.

A network of staff who play a key role in understanding and communicating ideas, views and experiences of their team, making sure that staff across the Trust have a voice.

Helping you to stay healthy

We are providing access to mental health and wellbeing support services, such as counselling, therapy, and support groups.

We promote a culture of open communication and support, so that staff feel comfortable talking about their wellbeing and seeking help when they need it.

We provide help and counselling for Weight management & Healthy eating, the Trust has EPUT Sports & Social Club (Events). WE will also support your Smoking cessation and Sensible drinking efforts and provide professional Sexual health advice.

We provide free Psychological and Counselling support, Mindfulness and stress management, compassioned care conversation and bereavement support.

Fast-track physiotherapy and occupational health are available for all our staff as well as Health and well-being Toolkit Flu and COVID-19 vaccinations, long COVID support and Sleep school.

Plan for the future

NHS aims to provide stability and security to its staff by offering one of the best pension schemes and holiday entitlements in the country.

Salary sacrifice schemes including: Lease cars, cycle to work and season ticket loans.

Harmonised holiday entitlements of 27 days per year, plus eight general and public holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years’ service, and buy and sell annual leave.

One of the UK’s best pension schemes, providing an excellent pension benefits available to all new employees. The NHS offers a defined benefit pension scheme, which means that your pension is based on your salary and the number of years you have worked for the NHS.

NHS Working Longer Review, supporting staff to work longer and pre-retirement courses.

The NHS offers statutory sick pay, which is paid for the first 28 weeks of sickness. After 28 weeks, you may be eligible for NHS sick pay, which is paid at a higher rate.

Flexible working

Flexible working is a vital part of improving working lives and has a demonstrable impact on recruitment, retention and return to work.

The Trust has developed flexible working in line with the needs of our employees. Through this, flexible working arrangements are introduced that are innovative and diverse, but which reflect the needs of the individual whilst continuing to meet the needs of the service. The Flexible Working Guide which includes the Policy and Procedure ensures that the Trust has a systematic and planned approach to promoting and support flexible working practices.

The Trust has a number of flexible working options available and continues to develop new ways of working to improve working lives. The following is a list of flexible working options:

Self-rostering
Staggered working hours or flexi-time
Temporary reduced or increased hours
Permanently reduced or increased hours
Part-time working
Job share
Term-time
Term-time plus
Term-time extra
Annual hours
Phased return to work
Home working
Career break.

Staff discounts

NHS staff discounts are available to all NHS employees, as well as their families and retired healthcare staff. The discounts cover a wide range of products and services, including travel, holidays, fashion, electricals, homeware, mobile phones, utilities, and more.

The Blue Light Card is a loyalty card that offers discounts to NHS staff, emergency services staff, and armed forces personnel. The Blue Light Card can be used at a wide range of retailers, including supermarkets, restaurants, and travel companies.

NHS Discount Offers is a website that lists discounts available to NHS staff. The website includes discounts on a variety of goods and services, such as travel, shopping, and entertainment.

NHS Staff Benefits is a website that offers a range of benefits to NHS staff, including discounts on travel, shopping, and entertainment.

Career Development

One-to-one support from a dedicated supervisor who will provide guidance, motivation and clinical support

Excellent training support and facilities, working closely with a number of universities and integrated care systems to fund and support your professional development.

Join leadership development programmes such as EPUT Leadership Development Pathway (LDP), RISE, Edward Jenner Programme and the Mery Seacole Programme to build the foundation of your career progression within the NHS. Read more about our education and career development options here.

Looking after our staff

Staff discounts